Which term best describes the action of defining roles and establishing lines of authority within an organization?

Which term best describes the action of defining roles and establishing lines of authority within an organization?

• A. Planning
• B. Organizing
• C. Controlling
• D. Staffing

Answer: (B)

Defining roles and establishing lines of authority is organizing. This step builds the structure that coordinates work, by assigning tasks, grouping related activities into departments or teams, and clarifying who reports to whom. It creates the formal framework and chain of command that enables plans to be put into action and resources to be directed effectively. After planning sets objectives and actions, organizing lays out how those actions will be carried out through people and tasks, which is why this choice best fits. The other actions focus on setting objectives (planning), obtaining and placing people (staffing), or guiding and monitoring performance (directing and controlling), rather than establishing the organizational structure itself.

Defining roles and establishing lines of authority is organizing. This step builds the structure that coordinates work, by assigning tasks, grouping related activities into departments or teams, and clarifying who reports to whom. It creates the formal framework and chain of command that enables plans to be put into action and resources to be directed effectively. After planning sets objectives and actions, organizing lays out how those actions will be carried out through people and tasks, which is why this choice best fits. The other actions focus on setting objectives (planning), obtaining and placing people (staffing), or guiding and monitoring performance (directing and controlling), rather than establishing the organizational structure itself.