Introduction
Direction is an act of guiding, issuing orders, instructing providing advice and motivating employees to achieve organizational goals. Generally, it is carried out by the top level management. On the other hand, supervision is the act of observing and monitoring the work performance to ensure that tasks are performed correctly. It is carried out by middle and lower level managers.
Difference Between Direction And Supervision
Major differences between direction and supervision are as follows:
1. Meaning
Direction: It refers to issuing orders and instructions and motivating subordinates to achieve the objectives and goals.
Supervision: It refers to observing the progress of assigned tasks of employees or subordinates.
2. Scope
Direction: It is a wider management term. Direction includes supervision, leadership, motivation, coordination and communication.
Supervision: It is one of the elements of direction. So its scope is narrower.
3. Contact
Direction: It may take place with face-to-face contact or without face-to-face contact with subordinates.
Supervision: It is possible only with direct face-to-face contact with subordinates.
4. Emphasize On
Direction: It gives emphasize on providing guidance, advice, instructions and inspiring employees to achieve better result.
Supervision: It gives focus on interaction, controlling, monitoring and observing the progress ensure that tasks are performed correctly.
5. Skilled Required
Direction: It requires good leadership, effective communication and strategic thinking capacity to direct employees in the organization
Supervision: It requires problem-solving skill and technical expertise to supervise the work.
Direction Vs Supervision
|
Basis
For Difference
|
Direction |
Supervision |
|
Scope
|
Wider |
Narrower |
|
Focus On
|
Goal |
Task |
|
Skill Required
|
Strategic thinking, leadership, communication
etc. |
Problem-solving skill, technical
expertise etc. |
|
Related To
|
Guiding, instructing, motivating etc. |
Controlling and monitoring |
|
Management Level
|
Top Level Management |
Middle and lower level Management |
Comparison Between Direction And Supervision In Short
* Direction is a process of guiding and influencing employees to obtain organizational goals more efficiently. On the other hand, supervision is a process of monitoring and observing the performance of employees to ensure it meets a standard.
* Direction is goal oriented process and focuses on the achievement of the predetermined goals. But direction is task oriented and focuses on the quality of work.
* Scope of direction is wider than the scope of direction
* Face-to-face contact is not necessary for direction but it is compulsory for supervision.