Which management function involves establishing the chain of command and the lines of authority within an organization?

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

Answer: (A)

Establishing the chain of command and the lines of authority is about organizing. In organizing, a manager designs the structure of the organization—defining roles, delegating authority, and setting up the reporting relationships and communication pathways that coordinate all activities. This structural setup creates who is responsible to whom and how decisions flow through the organization. Planning focuses on setting objectives and the actions needed to achieve them, directing is about guiding and motivating people to carry out tasks, and controlling involves monitoring performance and making corrections. Because the chain of command and authority lines define the organizational framework that enables coordination and accountability, they belong to organizing.