Page 117 - DEDU503_EDUCATIONAL_MANAGEMENT_ENGLISH

Unit 9: Controlling and Staffing: Process, Means and New Practices, Group Dynamics and Motivation

Whether a manager or an owner-manager, effective control and staffing are necessary components Notes
for achieving success. Many a times the problems faced in achieving the organisational goals emerge
because of some deviations from the set standards, or in other words because of the failure to
control the process from moving in the stated direction. Attempts to make you understand the
relevance of control, its meaning, different types and processes along with the procedures to be
adopted for effective control.

9.1 Meaning of Controlling

If we use the term control only in relation to controlling the employees and putting them under
regulations, we are applying the term in a very limited sense and this is bound to create negative
impressions. Let us address ourselves to the question as to why control is needed.
Objectives, plans and programmes are essential components of effective management. After a task
has been assigned to a manager, the next step is to decide the objectives of the task. Then, through
planning, a strategy is evolved to accomplish the desired objectives. In the process of accomplishing
the pre-determined objectives comes the role of monitoring and controlling. Hence, management
control can be defined as a process which ensures that the progress of the assigned work is
according to the plan. If there is any deviation the concerned manager has to take corrective actions.
So control mechanism adjusts operations to pre-determined standards on the basis of the
information or feedback it gets. Control is associated with planning and has been accepted as a
basic managerial function to ensure the pace of an activity and its quality. Its basic concern is to
monitor the outcome of activities, review feedback information about this outcome and if
necessary, to take corrective action.
Besides, control helps the managers in certain other aspects. For example it helps managers in :
• monitoring environmental changes and their impact on the organisation,
• developing mechanisms for speedy delivery of products and services to customers,
• anticipating or managing threats, problems or opportunities,
• adding value to their products,
• maintaining quality,
• facilitating team work and delegation, and
• checking wastage or leakage, etc.
Here it must be kept in mind that controlling is existent at all managerial levels and a good plan is
one which incorporates the needed controls. Further controls and monitoring are applied in every
area of operations like production, sales, finances, quality, human resources, etc. In tourism
management their role is very crucial in every segment and in the activities related to that segment.

9.2 Characteristics of Controlling

Following are the characteristics of controlling function of management :
1. Controlling is an end function : A function which comes once the performances are made in
confirmities with plans.
2. Controlling is a pervasive function : which means it is performed by managers at all levels
and in all type of concerns.
3. Controlling is forward looking : because effective control is not possible without past being
controlled. Controlling always look to future so that follow-up can be made whenever required.
4. Controlling is a dynamic process : since controlling requires taking reviewal methods, changes
have to be made wherever possible.

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