Fayol, Henri (1841–1925)

French pioneer of management theory. He is generally regarded as the first to question the nature of management and put forward a theory designed to be applicable in all managerial contexts.

Fayol attempted to postulate his theory in such a way that the business procedures he had studied and developed as managing director of a mining and metallurgical combine in France could be applied to any organization, regardless of size or nature. He stipulated that managerial activity should involve five major elements: forecasting and planning; organizing; commanding; coordinating; and controlling. His ideas remained influential for much of the 20th century.