Control

Question 1

Define control

Answer 1

Control in the management process is concerned with guiding and regulating the
activities of an organisation, or any constituent parts of the organisation, by means of management judgment, decision, and action, for the purpose of attaining agreed objectives.

Question 2

Types of control systems

Answer 2

Control system: the chosen design and combination of elements in a control process

1. Bureaucratic: the implementation of rules, regulations and procedures underpinned by formal authority as a guide to how employees should behave.
2. Market: emphasis on economic criteria as a means of control. These may include pricing mechanisms, profit targets, returns on investment etc.
3. Clan: functions or activities within an organisation that are the locus of workers’ shared beliefs, values, goals and/or expectations.

Question 3

Define the control process

Answer 3

The activity of setting performance targets, measuring and recording outcomes, and matching them against set markets or standards

1. Set standards
2. Measure performance
3. Compare performance against set standards
4. Take any necessary corrective action

Question 4

Give examples of Purposes of control

Answer 4

Standardise performance

Safeguard assets

Check on output

Clarify authority

Monitor overall performance

Aid forward planning

Improve network analysis

Coordinate activities

Control behavior

Safeguard relationships

Question 5

Define quality management

Answer 5

the act of overseeing all activities and tasks that must be accomplished to maintain a desired level of excellence. This includes the determination of a quality policy, creating and implementing quality planning and assurance, and quality control and quality improvement.

Question 6

Name types and emphasis of Quality management systems

Answer 6

Kaizen - Incremental improvement

Total quality management - Continuous improvement

Six sigma - Acceptable defect rates

Just-in-time -
Maximise inventory efficiency

Question 7

Define and explain Strategic control

Answer 7

Control systems designed and implemented to support the long-term aims and objectives of an organisation.

1. Premise control: is designed to check systematically and continuously whether the premises on which the strategy is based are still valid.
2. Implementation control: is designed to assess whether the overall strategy should be changed in light of results.
3. Strategic surveillance: is designed to monitor a broad range of events inside and outside the firm that are likely to affect the course of its strategy.
4. Special alert control: is the thorough, and often rapid, reconsideration of the firm’s strategy because of a sudden, unexpected event.

Question 8

Define and explain Operational control

Answer 8

Control systems designed and implemented to support the organisation’s short to medium term goals and objectives.

1. Budgets: a resource allocation plan that helps managers coordinate operations and facilities managerial control of performance.
2. Scheduling: considerations in allocating time-constrained resources and sequencing interdependent activities often determine the success of strategy implementation.
3. Identifying critical success factors: identify the performance areas that are of greatest importance in implementing the company’s strategies and, therefore, must receive continuous management attention.