Introduction to Management

Control is an essential function for managing an organization. It is used to ensure that what is done is what was intended. The control function plays an important role from the top to the bottom level of an organization.

Controlling involves the comparison of actual results with planned results. Thus, there is considerable overlap between the planning, organizing and leading functions of a manager. Coinciding with the three levels of management, there are three levels of control - strategic, tactical and operational.

Although control systems must be tailored to specific situations, they generally follow the same basic process. The control process consists of seven steps: determining the areas to control, establishing standards, measuring performance and comparing it against the standards, recognizing good or positive performance, taking corrective action when necessary, and adjusting standards and measures when necessary.