Q.There are two statements, Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Assertion (A) : Controlling should not be misunderstood as the last function of management. Reason (R) : Controlling is a function that brings the management cycle back to the planning function. Choose the correct alternative from those given below : (A) Assertion (A) is false and Reason (R) is true. (B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are false. (C) Assertion (A) is true and Reason (R) is false. (D) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Controlling is not the final management function because it provides feedback that directly informs and revises future planning, making the management process a continuous cycle.
In the realm of management, functions like planning, organising, staffing, directing, and controlling are often discussed sequentially. While this sequence helps in understanding their individual roles, it is crucial to grasp that management is not a linear process with a definitive end. Instead, it is a dynamic and continuous cycle, where each function influences and is influenced by others.
Planning, at its heart, is the foundational function. It involves setting objectives, formulating strategies, and developing detailed action plans to achieve organisational goals. It is essentially deciding in advance what to do, how to do it, when to do it, and who is to do it. Without clear plans, there would be no direction, and subsequent management functions would lack a framework.
Controlling, on the other hand, is the function that ensures activities conform to the plans. It involves establishing performance standards, measuring actual performance, comparing it with the standards, and taking corrective actions if deviations occur. The essence of controlling is to bring actual performance closer to desired performance.
Now, let's address the assertion: "Controlling should not be misunderstood as the last function of management." This statement is profoundly true. While controlling often appears at the end of a list of management functions, it is far from being the final act. Management is an ongoing process, and an organisation operates continuously. Therefore, its functions must also be continuous.
Think of it like a journey: planning is charting the route, and controlling is checking the map periodically to ensure you're still on course and making adjustments if you've veered off. The journey doesn't end when you check the map; you continue driving, and you might check the map again later.
This brings us to the reason: "Controlling is a function that brings the management cycle back to the planning function." This statement is also true and provides the perfect explanation for why controlling is not the last function. The information gathered during the controlling process—specifically, the identification of deviations from standards and the analysis of their causes—serves as vital input for future planning. …
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