Have you ever noticed how the people involved can really “make or break” something you’re doing? Take a school play, for instance. Perhaps your drama club is producing West Side Story this spring. If you have a group of dedicated, talented students who are committed to making the production the best it can be, it’s probably going to turn out great. However, if the students joke around and don’t memorize their lines, the play will likely earn some negative reviews! Nothing would be different about the West Side Story script—the human element, though, could change everything. Can you think of other situations in which people make all the difference? What about a family vacation or a community service project?

Business organizations are also dependent on people—or human resources—for success. That’s why the staffing function of management is so critical. Learn more about what staffing is, why it’s important, and how managers can ensure that their organizations have the human resources they need to thrive in their industries.