Coordination is the unification, integration, synchronization of the efforts of group members so as to provide unity of action in the pursuit of common goals. It is a hidden force which binds all the other functions of management. According to Mooney and Reelay, “Coordination is the orderly arrangement of group efforts to provide unity of action in the pursuit of common goals”. According to Charles Worth, “Coordination is the integration of several parts into an orderly hole to achieve the purpose of understanding”. Management seeks to achieve coordination through its basic functions of planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling.

That is why coordination is not a separate function of management because achieving harmony between individual efforts towards achievement of group goals is a key to success of management.

Coordination is the essence of management and is implicit and inherent in all functions of management.

A manager can be compared to an orchestra conductor since both of them have to create rhythm and unity in the activities of group members. Co-ordination is an integral element or ingredient of all the managerial functions as discussed below –

• Coordination through Planning 

Planning facilitates co-ordination by integrating the various plans through mutual discussion, exchange of ideas. e.g. co-ordination between finance budget and purchases budget.

• Co-ordination through Organizing

Mooney considers co-ordination as the very essence of organizing. In fact when a manager groups and assigns various activities to subordinates, and when he creates department’s uppermost in his mind. co-ordination

• Co-ordination through Staffing 

A manager should bear in mind that the right no. of personnel in various positions with right type of education and skills are taken which will ensure right men on the right job.

• Co-ordination through Directing

The purpose of giving orders, instructions & guidance to the subordinates is served only when there is a harmony between superiors

• Co-ordination through Controlling

Manager ensures that there should be co- ordination between actual performance & standard performance to achieve organizational goals.

From the above discussion, we can very much affirm that co-ordination is the very essence of management. It is required in each & every function and at each & every stage & therefore it cannot be separated.