Principles Of Management - Lesson 12 Controlling

Summary

In this lesson on the principles of management, the concept of controlling is explored as a key function in the management cycle. Controlling involves monitoring progress, ensuring adherence to plans, and making necessary adjustments. The PDCA cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act) is introduced as a tool for continuous improvement, emphasizing the importance of feedback, analysis, and adjustments in processes. The lesson highlights different types of controls—feedforward, concurrent, and feedback—and how they help managers achieve desired outcomes. The video concludes by encouraging learners to apply these principles in real-life situations to enhance their management skills.

Takeaways

• 😀 Effective road trip planning involves managing both time and budget, ensuring that you stay on schedule and avoid overspending.
• 😀 The controlling process is an essential function in management, which ensures that plans are being properly implemented and adjusted as needed.
• 😀 Controlling completes the management cycle by monitoring progress, measuring results, and correcting deviations from plans.
• 😀 The four functions of management—planning, organizing, staffing, influencing, and controlling—work together to ensure organizational success.
• 😀 Planning is the foundation for controlling, and controlling reaches back to ensure the plans are being followed effectively.
• 😀 Effective control systems monitor activities, take corrective actions, and use technology and data to guide decision-making.
• 😀 There are three types of controls: feedforward (preventative), concurrent (ongoing), and feedback (post-operation). Each serves a different purpose in the management process.
• 😀 Feedforward controls aim to prevent issues before they occur, such as using maintenance budgets and training programs.
• 😀 Concurrent controls are applied during the process and help guide operations in real time, like using steering wheels and cruise control in cars.
• 😀 Feedback controls measure results after the process is completed, using tools like performance reports and comparisons to standards.
• 😀 Dr. J. Edward Deming's PDCA cycle (Plan, Do, Check, Act) is a key tool for continuous improvement, ensuring that processes, products, and services are regularly optimized.

Q & A

What is the role of controlling in management?

Controlling is a key management function that ensures plans are being implemented effectively. It involves monitoring activities, comparing performance to standards, and taking corrective actions when necessary. It links all other management functions and ensures progress toward organizational goals.

What are the three types of controls in management?

The three types of controls are: Feed-forward controls (which focus on preventing problems before they occur), Concurrent controls (which monitor processes during their execution), and Feedback controls (which assess results after the process has been completed).

How does feed-forward control function, and what are some examples?

Feed-forward controls are implemented before a process begins to prevent defects and deviations. Examples include maintenance budgets and training programs, which aim to avoid issues before they arise.

What is the purpose of concurrent controls and how are they applied?

Concurrent controls focus on monitoring activities as they are happening. Examples include systems like steering wheels in cars and cruise control, which allow adjustments during the execution of a task.

What do feedback controls monitor, and what are some common examples?

Feedback controls assess the outcomes of a process after it has been completed. They measure results like profits, costs, and sales, and use reports and comparisons to identify areas for improvement.

What is the PDCA cycle, and how does it contribute to continuous improvement?

The PDCA cycle, developed by Dr. Edward Deming, stands for Plan, Do, Check, and Act. It is a tool for continuous improvement, where the cycle is repeated to refine processes, products, or services based on regular assessment and adjustment.

What happens during the 'Plan' stage of the PDCA cycle?

During the 'Plan' stage, the current situation is analyzed, data is gathered, and strategies for improvement are developed. The goal is to determine what changes can lead to better outcomes.

What occurs during the 'Do' stage of the PDCA cycle?

In the 'Do' stage, the proposed changes are tested through experiments, pilot processes, or small-scale trials with customers to assess their effectiveness before full implementation.

How does the 'Check' stage of the PDCA cycle contribute to improvement?

The 'Check' stage involves evaluating the outcomes of the changes made during the 'Do' stage. It determines whether the changes are working as intended and whether further revisions are necessary.

How does the 'Act' stage of the PDCA cycle ensure sustainability?

In the 'Act' stage, successful improvements are implemented on a larger scale within the organization or with customers. The improvements are then standardized and integrated, ensuring continuous refinement and adaptation over time.