After goals and plans are set (planning), tasks and structural arrangements are put in place (organizing), and people are hired, trained, and motivated (leading), there has to be some evaluation of whether things are going as planned. To ensure that goals are being met and that work is being done as it should be, managers must monitor and evaluate performance.
A management function that involves monitoring comparing, and correcting work performance.
It is called the final management function.
Controlling is the function of evaluating an organization’s performance against its objectives.
Controlling is the management functions of establishing standards, measuring actual performance to see if standards have been met, and taking corrective action if required. The controlling function is essential. Planning chooses goals and maps out the necessary strategy and tactics. Controlling atte mpts to prevent failure (and to promote success) by providing the means to monitor the performances of individuals, departments, divisions, and the entire organization. It attempts to prevent problems, to determine when problems do exist. and to solve the problems that occur as quickly and effectively as possible.
The control process consists of three basic steps applicable to any persons, items, or processes being controlled:
1. Establish standards to be used in measuring progress, or lack of progress, toward goals.
2. Measure performance against standards, noting deviations from standards.
3. Take actions necessary to correct deviations from standards.
Controlling is the management function of checking to determine whether employees are following plans and progress is being make, and of taking action to reduce discrepancies between performance and plans.