a) Five elements of a control system
1. I . Establishment of standards: Every enterprise plans its activities in advance. On the
basis of plans, the objectives of every department are fixed. These goals are converted
into quantity, man-hour value etc. There may also be qualitative goals.
2. Measurement of performance: The second step in the controlling process is the
measurement of performance. The measurement of quantitative objective is easy since
figures of work done will be available. The qualitative performance such as human
relations, employee morale, etc, can only be measured through psychological tests and
surveys.
3. Comparing actual and standard performance: The next step in the control process is the
comparison of actual performance with the standards set.
4. Identify causes of deviations in (3) above
5. Taking corrective actions: The last but most important step in the controlling process is,
taking corrective action. Whenever the performance is less than the standards, efforts
should be made to rectify it. The control action may involve review of plans and goals,
change in the methods of work, change in the assignment of task, change in the existing
techniques of direction and change in the organisation structure.
b) Five characteristics of an effective control system
• Clear-cut purpose
The task of control is to ensure that plans succeed by detecting deviations from plans and
furnishing a basis for taking action to correct potential or actual undesired deviations.
• Future-oriented
Owing to the time lags in the total system of control, the more a control system is based on feed
forward rather than simple feedback of information, the more managers have the opportunity to
perceive undesirable deviations from plans before they occur and to take action in time to
prevent them.
• Control responsibility
The primary responsibility for the exercise of control rests in the manager charged with the
performance of the particular plans involved. Since delegation of authority, assignment of tasks,
and responsibility for certain objectives rest in individual managers, it follows that control over
this work should be exercised by each of these managers. An individual manager's responsibility
cannot be waived or rescinded Without changes in the organization structure.
• Cost Benefits
Control techniques and approaches are efficient if they detect and illuminate the nature and
causes of deviations from plans with a minimum of costs or other unsought consequences.
Control techniques have a way of becoming costly, complex and burdensome. Managers may
become so engrossed in control that they spend more than it is worth to detect a deviation.
• Preventive nature
Focus should be more on prevention rather than the correction of the negative aspects of the
system.
• Standardized
Effective control requires objective, accurate, and suitable standards. There should be a simple,
specific and verifiable way to measure whether a planning program is being accomplished.
• Flexible
If controls are to remain effective despite failure or unforeseen changes of plans, flexibility is
required in their design.
• Exceptional
The more that managers concentrate control efforts on significant exceptions, the more efficient
will be the results of their control.
Kavungya answered the question on May 18, 2019 at 08:03
- Briefly outline the importance of control systems in an organisation.(Solved)
Briefly outline the importance of control systems in an organisation.
Date posted: May 18, 2019. Answers (1)
- Information systems contribute significantly to the efficient management of an organisation.
i. Highlight the requirements of an effective information system in an organisation.
ii. Briefly summarise how...(Solved)
Information systems contribute significantly to the efficient management of an organisation.
i. Highlight the requirements of an effective information system in an organisation.
ii. Briefly summarise how the three levels of management influence information systems
in a given entity.
Date posted: May 18, 2019. Answers (1)
- A budget is an important tool for managerial planning and control.
With reference to the above statement, explain five ways in which budgets could be of
importance...(Solved)
A budget is an important tool for managerial planning and control.
With reference to the above statement, explain five ways in which budgets could be of
importance to a manager.
Date posted: May 18, 2019. Answers (1)
- Highlight six types of controls instituted by different organisations.(Solved)
Highlight six types of controls instituted by different organisations.
Date posted: May 18, 2019. Answers (1)
- Distinguish between. "co-ordination", and "control" in the management process.(Solved)
Distinguish between. "co-ordination", and "control" in the management process.
Date posted: May 18, 2019. Answers (1)
- Analyse the three steps involved in a basic control system.(Solved)
Analyse the three steps involved in a basic control system.
Date posted: May 18, 2019. Answers (1)
- Describe seven qualities of an effective control system.(Solved)
Describe seven qualities of an effective control system.
Date posted: May 18, 2019. Answers (1)
- Summarise five benefits that could be derived from the effective use of well-designed controls.(Solved)
Summarise five benefits that could be derived from the effective use of well-designed controls.
Date posted: May 18, 2019. Answers (1)
- Evaluate the importance of feedback control in an organisation(Solved)
Evaluate the importance of feedback control in an organisation
Date posted: May 18, 2019. Answers (1)
- Differentiate between fed 'forward control' and 'feedback control'(Solved)
Differentiate between fed 'forward control' and 'feedback control'
Date posted: May 18, 2019. Answers (1)
- List eight indicators that might suggest the existence of an inefficient control system in an
organisation.(Solved)
List eight indicators that might suggest the existence of an inefficient control system in an
organisation.
Date posted: May 18, 2019. Answers (1)
- Outline six factors that should be taken into account when designing an effective control
system.(Solved)
Outline six factors that should be taken into account when designing an effective control
system.
Date posted: May 18, 2019. Answers (1)
- Explain the importance of conducting performance appraisals in an organisation.(Solved)
Explain the importance of conducting performance appraisals in an organisation.
Date posted: May 18, 2019. Answers (1)
- Identify four advantages of each of the following methods of recruitment of staff in an
organization:
i. Internal recruitment.
ii. External recruitment.(Solved)
Identify four advantages of each of the following methods of recruitment of staff in an
organization:
i. Internal recruitment.
ii. External recruitment.
Date posted: May 18, 2019. Answers (1)
- Summarise five factors that a manager should take into account before introducing a parttime
scheme of service in an organisation.(Solved)
Summarise five factors that a manager should take into account before introducing a parttime
scheme of service in an organisation.
Date posted: May 18, 2019. Answers (1)
- Explain five benefits of recruiting part-time employees to both the employer and employee.(Solved)
Explain five benefits of recruiting part-time employees to both the employer and employee.
Date posted: May 18, 2019. Answers (1)
- Identify the matters that could be included in the recruitment policy of an organisation.(Solved)
Identify the matters that could be included in the recruitment policy of an organisation.
Date posted: May 18, 2019. Answers (1)
- Outline the role of the human resources department in recruitment and selection.(Solved)
Outline the role of the human resources department in recruitment and selection.
Date posted: May 18, 2019. Answers (1)
- Outline the distinction between recruitment and selection(Solved)
Outline the distinction between recruitment and selection.
Date posted: May 18, 2019. Answers (1)
- Outline three advantages and three disadvantages of specialist journals as a mode of
communication.(Solved)
Outline three advantages and three disadvantages of specialist journals as a mode of
communication.
Date posted: May 18, 2019. Answers (1)