Which of the following is not a primary function of management?

In the context of management functions, the primary roles typically include planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Planning involves setting objectives and determining a course of action to achieve those objectives. Leading focuses on directing and motivating staff to meet the organization's goals. Controlling refers to monitoring and evaluating progress to ensure that the organization's goals are met efficiently and effectively.

Assessing, while an important activity in various contexts, does not constitute a primary function of management in the same way that the other options do. It is often part of the controlling function as managers assess performance and outcomes, but it is not categorized as a standalone management function. Therefore, identifying assessing as not a primary function of management aligns with the understanding that it is a component of the controlling process rather than an independent function within the management framework.