The management theories that appear most in assignments run from classical management (Taylor, Fayol, Weber) and human relations (Mayo) to Mintzberg's managerial roles, contingency theory, change models such as Kotter and Lewin, strategy frameworks, team theories and performance tools such as the balanced scorecard and Lean Six Sigma.
| Theory or model | Key idea |
|---|
| Scientific management (Taylor) | Efficiency through standardised work |
| Fayol's 14 principles | Principles of administration, such as unity of command |
| Weber's bureaucracy | Rules, hierarchy and specialisation |
| Human relations (Mayo, Hawthorne studies) | Social needs and attention affect productivity |
| Mintzberg's 10 managerial roles | Interpersonal, informational and decisional roles |
| Contingency theory | The best approach depends on the situation |
| Kotter's 8 steps | Leading change, from urgency to anchoring it in culture |
| Lewin's 3-step model | Unfreeze, change, refreeze |
| McKinsey 7S | Aligning strategy, structure, systems, shared values, style, staff and skills |
| Porter's generic strategies | Cost leadership, differentiation or focus |
| Johnson, Scholes and Whittington | Strategic position, strategic choices and strategy in action |
| Belbin's team roles | Balanced teams need different roles |
| Tuckman's stages | Forming, storming, norming, performing, adjourning |
| Hofstede's cultural dimensions | How national culture shapes management |
| Balanced scorecard (Kaplan and Norton) | Financial, customer, internal process, and learning and growth perspectives |
| Lean and Six Sigma (DMAIC) | Define, measure, analyse, improve, control |
For strategy in more depth, see strategic management help; for people and culture, see organisational behaviour.