Managers use a variety of techniques for achieving coordination. The main techniques for effective coordination are as follows:
1. Sound Planning
Coordination facilitates sound planning in the organization. The Plan, policies, and comprehensive programmers prefer coordination of activities and individuals. Thus, coordination is regarded as an essential element for sound planning
2. Sound Organizational Structure
Coordination is possible only in a sound organizational structure. A sound organizational structure has a clear meaning of authority and responsibility relationship. This helps in reducing conflicts among the different positions. It clearly defines the authority relationship which provides an effective means of integrating the activities of different departments. Hence, coordination is essential for sound organization.
3. Clearly defined Objectives
The goal of the organization must be clearly defined. The individual in the organization should understand the overall objectives. An organization must have clearly defined goal as it support the employees to understand for coordinating all the efforts and activities.
4. Formation of Committees
A committee is a group of a person entrusted with functions collectively as a group. It promotes coordination through better and free interchange of ideas, feelings and opinions. All who are represented on the committee are bound to follow the committee decisions.
5. Comprehensive Policies and Programs
Coordination becomes very easy if there are well-defined and comprehensive policies and programs. They bring uniformity in action because everybody understand the policies and programmes in the same sense. Well defined and comprehensive policies and programmes are also important instruments of coordination.
6. Voluntary Cooperation
Coordination is more effective and long lasting when it is achieved through the voluntary cooperation of employees. Voluntary cooperation of employees is more helpful to promote effective communication. Voluntary cooperation can be developed among the employees by encouraging them through contacts and communication.
7. Effective Communication
A good communication system contributes to effective coordination by promoting mutual understanding and cooperation among various individuals. The means of communication used in the organization should be dependable and relaible which promotes mutual understanding and cooperation among various individuals.
8. Simplified Organization
A simple and sound organization is an important means of coordination. The organization structure of a line of authority and responsibility from top to the bottom should be clearly defined. Conflicts can be avoided through the authority and responsibility of each department and individual.
9. Effective Leadership and Supervision
Effective leadership facilitates coordination efforts in the planning and the execution stage. It facilitates to the employees to get proper guidelines and directions to solve the problems which create confidence and high moral of employees.
10. Staff Meetings or Conferences
Staff meetings and conferences may be highly effective in the promotion of coordination. It helps to learn new things. It provides a forum for the discussion of various problems faced by different departments and individuals.
11. Chain of Command
The Chain of command is one of the most important methods of coordination. The supreme coordinating power in an organization is the authority. The traditional means of coordination is the exercise of authority through the chain of command or hierarchy. The different parts of an organization are brought together through the chain of command. It also relates them to a central authority.
12. Indoctrination
Indoctrination refers to the religious idea. Indoctrinating the organizational members with the goals and mission is also the essential techniques of the organization. It can transform a neutral body into a committed body.