Control is the fourth major function of the approach to management. Control is defined as any process that directs the activities of individuals toward the achievement of organizational goals. Control is essential to keeping the organization together, through means of regulation. Simply stated control systems are used to minimize problems.
             There are five essential steps that are needed to ensure that the control process is obtained. They are setting performance standards, measuring performance, comparing performance, analyzing deviations and taking corrective actions.
             Setting performance standards includes ensuring that an organization is functioning at a proper level. That organization goals are set that includes profitability, innovation, and satisfaction of constituencies.
             To implement the control process workers must know what is to be expected of them. Therefore, companies need to set standards. Standards levels help the company meet its expected goals. Standards target and establish desired performance levels, motivate performance, and serve as mark to which to assess actual performances. Different activities such as financial activities, operating activities, legal compliance, and charitable contributions can be used to set standards. Standards are sometimes viewed as objectives.
             Whenever possible, standards should be expressed numerically to reduce favoritism or hurtful comments These type of numerical standards are 1) time standards, 2) productivity standards, 3) cost standards, 4) quality standards, and 5) behavioral standards. Time standards measures the length of time it should take to produce a product or perform a service.
             Productivity Standards are based on the output of goods or services within a time frame. Next are the Cost Standards, which is based on the cost associated with producing a product or providing a service. Quality Standards are based on the level of perfection favored. Lastly ther...