1. GCE Applied ICT G041: Lesson 03 Functions with Organisations
Mr C Johnston

2. Learning Outcome
Understand that organisations are spilt into different departments each with its own function
Understand the role of common functions (departments) within an organisation
Know examples of communication which takes place between different functions within an organisation
Understand that organisations don’t work in vacuum and have relationships and dealings with a number of outside groups

3. Functions Within An Organisation
Last lesson we looked at organisation structures and you should have noticed that in a hierarchical structure you often find different functions or departments
Each function is responsible for a different aspect of the running of the organisation
Each function could have its own structure and chain of command including managers, supervisors and general workers
All functions need to work together and communicate effectively to ensure the organisation is run properly

4. Assistant Head of Department
An Example Function
Below is a diagram showing the structure of a subject faculty here at Sidney Stringer
Head of Department
(FT)
Assistant Head of Department
(Vacant)
KS 3 Coordinator
(CTJ)
KS 4 Coordinator
(TTR)
Main Scale Teachers
ICT Faculty Structure Sept 03

5. Common Organisation Functions
There are several functions / departments which are common to most large organisations:
You need to know what the of each of these functions / departments is responsible for within an organisation and the tasks they carry out
Accounts or Finance,
Purchasing
Sales,
Distribution,
Marketing,
Research and Development,
Human Resources,
Design,
Production (or service provision)
ICT Services,
Administration

6. Communication Between Functions
Departments need to communicate with each other and can be formal and informal
Formal Communication Channels
Scheduled meetings, official memos, staff notice boards, by following set procedures
Informal Communication Channels
Chat in the pub after work
Think about the ICT department seen earlier. Give examples of communication that occurs both within and with the rest of the school.

7. Activity
Applied Book pp 4-13
AVCE Book #2 pp 13-16
Produce revision notes which explain the role of different functions within an organisation. You could present your notes as a table.
Explain the relationship between these functions

8. External Relationships
Companies do not operate or work in a vacuum and have contact with various external entities and outside groups for all sorts of reasons
This is known as an external relationship
Typical organisations have external relations with:
How many different external entities can you think a typical organisation will have relationships with?

9. Activity
AVCE Book #1 pp
Make brief revision notes that explain the external relationships that an organisation may have. (This is not a complete list of external relationships just ones which are common).

10. Homework Activity
Applied Book pp 4-13
AVCE Book #1 pp
AVCE Book #2 pp 13-16
Ensure all the further reading has been completed and your revision notes fully cover the required content
Download organisationfunctionsexercise.doc from my website and complete the past exam paper questions – upload this to google classroom once completed