Public management is an important facet of governance that ensures the smooth operation and delivery of services at all levels of society. In South Africa, public managers are employed in State-Owned Entities (SOEs), municipalities, provincial and national governments, and various agencies.
They help to implement government policies, streamline processes, and incorporate best practices from the private sector to improve resource allocation. They are also responsible for enforcing regulations, ensuring services are delivered on time, and maintaining transparency in operations while responding swiftly to incidents or emergencies.
In this article, we will gain a deeper understanding of what does public management do by examining its core functions and the reach of its responsibilities.
What are the Important Functions of Public Management?
Public management roles are usually found in government departments or agencies and with companies that work closely with the South African government to help provide essential services or resources.
Relevant qualifications are important for public sector managers to be better prepared to meet the requirements of their positions. The Regenesys School of Public Management offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Public Management, which prepare students to tackle public policy and public finance and implement strategies that optimise resource allocation.
If students are trying to find an answer to, what does public management do, these are some of the key functions:
1. Policy Implementation:
- Responsible for studying the effects and benefits of existing policies
- Suggest improvements to existing policy
- Identify new areas of reach that could benefit current policies
2. Resource Management:
- Allocate human and material resources efficiently
- Oversee public budgets are distributed according to priority
3. Governance and Leadership:
- Guide and motivate teams to achieve their objective
- Communicate with citizens and make them willing participants
4. Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Use data to monitor the effects of current policies
- Suggest changes in the delivery process to make it more efficient
5. Budgeting and Financial Oversight
- Use public funds efficiently
- Follow accounting principles when preparing documents
- Stay within the allocated budget
6. Supervising Public Service Delivery
- Ensure services are delivered on time
- Implement random quality checks
- Suggest solutions for service gaps
7. Ethical Leadership
- Prevent corruption in public service
- Eliminate bribes for offering fundamental services
- Accountability for spending and progress
Read more on Public Management Duties and Responsibilities
What is the Scope of Public Management?
While we have covered what does public management do, it is also important to understand its reach in society. Public management systems are critical elements that help to run governments, operate community health centres, and provide education in government schools.
Public managers also partner with private enterprises to deliver projects and infrastructure that can improve the quality and timeliness of public services. They also serve a critical role during national emergencies.
The following are the areas where public management is required in society:
1. National and Local Government Operations
Public managers work within government departments in positions such as Financial Analyst, Education Advisor, Economic Consultant, etc. These roles help to guide various policies and programmes and help manage daily operations.
2. Public Policy Development
If students are wondering what does public management do and how does it make an impact, the answer is that public managers help to design effective policies by sharing feedback based on data-driven results.
3. Public Service Delivery
Public Managers ensure that all citizens have access to essential services such as education, healthcare, clean water, transportation, etc. This is one of the main tasks of a public manager.
4. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
Public management also involves working with private sector enterprises to deliver public projects. At other times, it is to help devise policies that can affect how work is conducted in a particular sector.
5. Crisis Management
Public management and governance are also required for the smooth functioning of all essential services and to ensure public safety during a crisis such as a natural disaster or a disease breakout.
What are the Skills Required for Public Management?
Public Management is a challenging and rewarding role that allows professionals to leave a positive impact on society. When students research what does public management do, they realise that there are various stakeholders involved in the public management process. Therefore, public managers must be diplomatic, excellent communicators, and problem solvers.
They also need to be focused and strategic when it comes to resource allocation and base their decision on reliable and quantifiable data.
Listed below are some skills that are required for a successful career in public management:
1. Leadership and Decision-Making
Public managers are natural leaders who inspire their teams to meet targets. They also devise creative solutions to meet people’s needs and empower them to participate in the process.
2. Communication and Collaboration
When we examine what does public management do, an important role is to communicate and collaborate with all the stakeholders. These typically include citizens and government officials but can sometimes also include private organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Communication helps to establish objectives, motivate teams, and persuade citizens to adopt best practices.
3. Problem-Solving
At its core, public management is about providing solutions and improving the overall standard of living. Therefore, public managers must be able to identity and resolve problems quickly based on available information and data.
4. Analytical
Public managers must gather evidence to make decisions or change delivery methods. Analytical skills can also help them identify inefficient areas or processes and improve them to reduce costs.
5. Ethical Integrity
Public managers use taxpayer funds and, thus, have a moral obligation to be transparent. They should also prevent corruption in the workplace and eliminate the practice of bribes for work.
What are the Career Opportunities in Public Management?
Once we understand what does public management do, it becomes clear that the role of public managers is essential at all levels of society. They help provide essential services and distribute resources.
Public managers also work towards implementing public policy and monitor the work regularly to ensure that objectives are met. Qualified public managers can find employment in both the public and private sectors.
Below is a list of public management roles in various sectors.
- Public Sector Roles:
- Public Works Manager
- Public Affairs Specialist
- Head of Operations
- Non-Profit Organisations:
- NGO Director
- Community Development Coordinator
- International Agencies:
- Social Policy Anlayst, UNICEF
- Policy Analyst, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Consulting and Research:
- Public Sector Consultant
- Research Analyst
Explore Public Administration and Management Jobs: Roles, Skills, and Qualifications Here
What is the Importance of Public Management?
If students are interested in working for the government and are wondering what does public management do, they must know that this field helps support government policies and provides essential services to the taxpayer.
Governments need the expertise and skills of public managers to implement their agendas and help ease the delivery of essential services. In addition to implementing policies and distributing resources, public managers also help drive economic growth and maintain stability in times of crisis.
Public managers help to allocate resources and ensure that they are used effectively. This is important since they are using taxpayer money to fund projects and need to minimise waste. They are also responsible for maintaining transparency in government operations. Government agencies are required to release financial documents, which keep them accountable.
Regenesys Master of Public Management Programme
The Regenesys Master of Public Management programme is designed for professionals aiming to lead and innovate in public service. We have previously covered what does public management do, and the Master of Public Management programme at Regenesys equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the public sector. This programme combines a practical and theoretical focus on governance, policy, and leadership, ensuring that students are well-prepared to tackle the complexities of the public sector.
The programme also provides a flexible learning approach, with both online and on-campus formats available, catering to the needs of working professionals. By enroling in the Master of Public Management programme, students will gain critical skills, including strategic thinking, policy development, conflict management, and leadership. These competencies are essential for professionals who aspire to make a tangible impact within government institutions, NGOs, or private entities.
Listed below are some factors that help the Regenesys programme stand out.
- Expert faculty
- Career opportunities in government and private sector
- Flexible learning options
- Networking opportunities
- Group projects
- Supportive learning environment
Read more on What is Public Management Degree? Here
Conclusion
Public management is a vital aspect of governance, ensuring the efficient operation of government services and the successful implementation of policies. When we try to answer what does public management do, it involves overseeing processes, enforcing regulations, and managing crises.
Qualified public managers help streamline operations while ensuring transparency and accountability. They can find meaningful career opportunities in government agencies, NGOs, private companies and international organisations. While public managers face challenges, the skills that they acquire help them overcome the barriers.
If you want to make a difference, enrol in the Master of Public Management programme offered by Regenesys. Interested candidates should view the curriculum and eligibility details on the website.
What Does Public Management Do? – FAQs
What does public management and governance do?
Public management involves overseeing the operations of government institutions and services to ensure efficient and effective delivery to citizens. It is required for smooth governance at the national and local levels.
What are the essential functions of public management?
Some essential functions include policy implementation, resource management, public service delivery, and ethical leadership.
What skills that public managers must have?
Leadership, decision-making, communication, problem-solving, analytical thinking, and ethical integrity are some important skills for public managers.
What career opportunities are available in public management?
Career opportunities include roles such as public works manager, public affairs specialist, NGO director, social policy analyst, and policy consultant.
What is the role of public managers during a crisis?
During crisis management, public managers ensure that public safety is prioritised and that essential services continue functioning.
