Management Principles Flashcards
7 cards from real CSI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Management Principles flashcards as text
A CSI manager is creating the annual unit budget. Which management function does this activity represent?
Answer: Planning
Budget creation is a planning function because it involves setting financial goals and resource allocations for future operations.
When a CSI supervisor consistently fails to hold staff accountable for protocol violations, this erodes which organizational element?
Answer: Organizational culture and discipline
Inconsistent enforcement of standards undermines the organizational culture of discipline and professionalism that effective units depend on.
A CSI manager delegates photography duties to a senior investigator for a complex homicide scene. Delegation is effective when:
Answer: The investigator is given both the task and the authority needed to complete it
Effective delegation requires transferring both the responsibility for a task and the authority necessary to carry it out successfully.
Which leadership style would be MOST effective when training a newly hired CSI technician with no field experience?
Answer: Directing (task-focused, high instruction) style
New employees with low competence and experience require directive leadership with close guidance, clear instructions, and frequent feedback.
A CSI unit implements a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) tracking average time from evidence collection to lab submission. This measure primarily supports which management function?
Answer: Controlling
Controlling involves monitoring performance against established standards and taking corrective action when deviations occur.
When a CSI manager must choose between two equally qualified candidates for a promotion, the most defensible approach is to:
Answer: Apply a structured, criteria-based scoring rubric applied equally to both candidates
A structured, criteria-based process ensures objectivity, reduces bias, and provides a documented rationale for promotion decisions.
Which of the following BEST describes 'management by objectives' (MBO) as applied to a CSI unit?
Answer: Manager and investigator jointly set performance goals and later evaluate outcomes together
MBO is a collaborative process where managers and subordinates mutually agree on goals, enhancing commitment and enabling joint performance review.