Controlling: Meaning, Definition, Importance, and Limitations!

Controlling is one of the managerial tasks, such as planning, organizing, staffing and directing. Before studying this article Content you will learn about what is it? – 1) Meaning of Controlling, 2) Definition of Controlling, 3) Importance of Controlling, and 5) Limitations of Controlling. Also, The Importance of Directing, with Aspects or Elements! each one explains it, Controlling: Meaning, Definition, Importance, and Limitations!

Learn, Explain each one, Controlling: Meaning, Definition, Importance, and Limitations!

These Common questions are very asked by readers:

• What is the Meaning of Controlling?
• Explain the Definition of Controlling by different authors?
• What is the Importance of Controlling?
• How to explain the Limitations of Controlling?

#Meaning of Controlling:

Controlling is an important function of management which all the managers are required to perform. In order to contribute towards the achievement of organizational objectives, a manager is required to exercise effective control over the activities of his subordinates.

Thus, control can define as a managerial function to ensure that activities in an organization are performed according to the plans. Control also ensures the efficient and effective use of organizational resources for achieving the goals. Hence, it is a goal-oriented function.

Often, controlling and management control are considering the same. However, there is a vast difference between the two. Control is one of the managerial functions while management control can define as a process which managers follow to perform the control function. Management control refers to the set of predetermined standards, comparing actual performance with these standards and, if required, taking corrective actions to ensure the achievement of organizational goals.

#Definition of Controlling:

The following definitions below are;

According to Koontz And O’Donnell as;

“Managerial control implies the measurement of accomplishment against the standard and the correction of deviations to assure attainment of objectives according to plans.”

According to Dale Henning as;

“Control is the process of bringing about conformity of performance with planned action.”

Controlling function is performing in all types of organizations whether commercial or non-commercial and at all levels i.e. top, middle and supervisory levels of management. Thus, it is a pervasive function. Control should not be considered as the last function of the management.

The controlling function compares the actual performance with predetermined standards, finds out deviation and attempts to take corrective measures. Eventually, this process helps in the formulation of future plans too. Thus, the control function helps in bringing the management cycle back to planning.

#Importance of Controlling:

The importance of the controlling function in an organization is as follows:

Accomplishing Organisational Goals:

Control helps in comparing the actual performance with the predetermined standards, finding out deviation and taking corrective measures to ensure that the activities are performing according to plans. Thus, it helps in achieving organizational goals.

Judging Accuracy of Standards:

An efficient control system helps in judging the accuracy of standards. It further helps in reviewing & revising the standards according to the changes in the organization and the environment.

Making Efficient Use of Resources:

Control checks the working of employees at each and every stage of operations. Hence, it ensures effective and efficient use of all resources in an organization with minimum wastage or spoilage.

Improving Employee Motivation:

Employees know the standards against which their performance will judge. Systematic evaluation of performance and consequent rewards in the form of increment, bonus, promotion, etc. motivate the employees to put in their best efforts.

Ensuring Order and Discipline:

Control ensures a close check on the activities of the employees. Hence, it helps in reducing the dishonest behavior of the employees and in creating order and discipline in an organization.

Facilitating Coordination in Action:

Control helps in providing a common direction to all the activities of different departments and efforts of individuals for attaining the organizational objectives.

#Limitations of Controlling:

The defects or limitations of controlling are as following:

Difficulty in Setting Quantitative Standards:

It becomes very difficult to compare the actual performance with the predetermined standards if these standards are not expressing in quantitative terms. This is especially so in areas of job satisfaction, human behavior, and employee morale.

No Control on External Factors:

An organization fails to have control of external factors like technological changes, competition, government policies, changes in the taste of consumers, etc.

Resistance from Employees:

Often employees resist the control systems since they consider them as curbs on their freedom. For example, surveillance through closed-circuit television (CCTV).

Costly Affair:

Control involves a lot of expenditure, time and effort, thus it is a costly affair. Managers are required to ensure that the cost involved in installing and operating a control system should not be more than the benefits expected from it. Similar Content of Articles: Direction: Meaning, Definition, Nature, and Importance!