Detailed Notes on Control Processes in Management

Chapter 9: Control Processes

Overview of Control in Management

  • Four Pillars of Management:
    1. Planning: Setting direction.
    2. Organizing: Creating a structure to implement plans.
    3. Leading: Motivating and inspiring effort from staff.
    4. Controlling: Ensuring that planned results are achieved.

The Concept of Controlling

  • Definition: Controlling involves measuring performance and taking actions to ensure that desired results are achieved. It is about verifying that plans are being executed as intended rather than making assumptions.
  • Importance:
    • Reduces reliance on assumptions in business processes.
    • Ensures processes meet objectives and adjust them when necessary.

Types of Control

1. Feed Forward Control
  • Description: This control occurs before work activity begins. It aims to solve potential problems that could disrupt the plan.
  • Example:
    • Tuna Inc: Involves checking the quality and quantity of tuna purchased before production to ensure goals can be met.
    • Course Prerequisites: Ensuring students have required skills before taking a course.
2. Concurrent Control
  • Description: This occurs during the actual execution of a process. The focus is on monitoring performance to address issues in real-time.
  • Example:
    • Tuna Inc: Counting cans produced per hour to ensure production is on target.
    • Cooking: Tasting a sauce while cooking to adjust flavors.
3. Feedback Control
  • Description: This happens after a workflow is completed. It evaluates outcomes to understand successes or failures and learn for future actions.
  • Example:
    • Tuna Inc: Assessing the number of cans produced in a day against the target to learn about production efficiency.
    • Restaurant Experience: Receiving customer feedback on a meal after it has been served.

Summary of Control Types

  • Feed Forward: Prevent problems before they occur (e.g., ensuring proper conditions before starting).
  • Concurrent: Address issues as they arise during the work process (e.g., ongoing monitoring during production).
  • Feedback: Resolve issues after they happen to improve future performance (e.g., analyzing past performance).

Control Scenarios and Identifications

  • Understanding through Scenarios: Different scenarios illustrate how to identify control types
    • Feedback: Customer complaints on prepared food, indicating adjustments for the future.
    • Feed Forward: Ensuring materials (e.g., fresh fish) are sourced before production.
    • Concurrent: Monitoring processes, such as inspecting dishes as they are served.

Internal vs. External Controls

Internal Controls
  • Involves self-discipline and self-regulation within employees to ensure they meet their job expectations.
  • Examples: showing up on time, following procedures, obeying laws.
External Controls
  • Implementations through managerial supervision, formal systems, and rules.
  • Examples: Performance reviews, legislation compliance, organizational rules.

Types of External Controls

Bureaucratic Control
  • Enforced through formal procedures like policies and job descriptions.
  • Example: Safety regulations and uniforms in workplaces.
Clan Control
  • Based on organizational culture and expectations, influencing employee behavior and norms.
  • Example: Company culture dictating punctuality or appearance standards.
Market Control
  • Reflective of external market conditions and competitor actions influencing strategy and operations.
  • Example: Responding to competitors' product offerings and market trends.

Conclusion

  • Key Takeaways: Understand feed forward, concurrent, and feedback controls; recognize their roles in management; and be aware of internal and external controls that help achieve organizational goals.
  • Be prepared for part two, which will delve deeper into specific control methods and processes.