Question

Which of the following is a management process that is concerned with making events conform to plans ?

• A. Planning the Management Process
• B. Evaluating the Plan in Action
• C. Controlling the Plan in Action
• D. Forecasting the Results

Hint:

The standard definition of "Controlling" in management textbooks (such as Nickell and Dorsey) is "the process of making events conform to plans."
Use this exact phrase matching as a direct shortcut to identify Controlling.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
In home management and general administration, the management process comprises distinct phases: planning, organizing, controlling (or directing), and evaluating.
Each phase has specific operational goals designed to guide resources toward achieving desired family or organizational objectives.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The definition "making events conform to plans" refers to the core function of Controlling.
Controlling the plan in action is the active phase of management where the planned course of action is executed, monitored, and adjusted.
It involves three essential sub-steps:
1. Energizing: Putting the plan into motion and keeping the activities going.
2. Checking: Monitoring progress and comparing actual performance with the established plans to detect deviations.
3. Adjusting: Making corrective modifications to the plan or execution method when unexpected obstacles arise.
This continuous cycle of checking and adjusting ensures that the actual progress matches the original blueprint.
In contrast:
- Planning is the preparatory stage of selecting objectives and outlining courses of action.
- Evaluating is the retrospective stage of looking back at the completed process to assess its success and learn for the future.
- Forecasting is a component of planning that attempts to predict future trends.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The management process concerned with making events conform to plans is Controlling the Plan in Action.