NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Commerce Business studies Chapter 8 - Controlling

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Answer:

Controlling refers to the function of evaluating and assessing the progress of the work done. It involves setting a specific criteria or standards for the work and then comparing the actual work with the set standards. It helps in finding the deviations from the set targets and thereby, take the required corrective actions. It ensures that everything goes as per the plans adopted. It also ensures full and efficient utilisation of resources. Controlling is an imperative managerial function as it keeps a close check on the progress of work and thereby, forms the basis for future actions and planning.

Answer:

The principle of management that a manager should consider while dealing with deviations effectively is management by exception.  According to this technique ‘an effort to control everything may end up in controlling nothing’. Thus, only significant deviations which are beyond the permissible limit should be acknowledged. 
For example, Management may decide that an increase in production cost by Rs 2 per unit can be checked at the supervisory level and any further increase is to be tackled by management.

An organisation's control system loses its effectiveness when standards cannot be defined in quantitative terms. For example, it is difficult to set standards for accessing 'Employee Morale' in employees as every individual is motivated by different motives and drives.

Answer:

Control system loses some of its effectiveness when standards cannot be defined in quantitative terms. This makes it difficult to measure the deviation between actual performance and standard performance. 
For example, setting standards for 'Job satisfaction' is difficult as each individual employee is motivated by different motives and drives. Thus, effective control system is difficult to set as the standards cannot be quantitatively provided.

Answer:

The standards that can be used by a company to evaluate the performance of its Finance & Accounting department are:

1. Inventories
2. Liquidity 
3. Capital expenditures
4. Flow of capital  (any two)

Answer:

The term used to indicate the difference between standard performance and actual performance is 'Deviation'. On comparing Actual performance with Standard performance, the 'deviations' are revealed. 

Answer:

Planning is looking ahead and controlling is looking back. This statement is partially true. Planning is a psychological process of 'thinking and deciding in advance' about 'what is to be done' and 'how it is to be done'. It is a mental activity that includes deciding the goals and also the actions through which they are to be accomplished. Thus, it is said that planning is looking ahead as it involves predicting the future. Controlling on the other hand, involves an assessment of the past performance and evaluating them against the set standards. In this sense, controlling is said to be a backward looking function. 

However, both these statements are only partially true. Though planning is a futuristic concept but it is based on past actions and experiences. Planning for future cannot take place without peeping into the past. Similarly, though controlling involves assessment of past performance, it also aims at improving the future performance by taking the required corrective actions. Hence, we can say that planning and controlling are backward looking as well as forward looking functions.

Answer:

The statement, 'an effort to control everything may end up in controlling nothing' is in regard with the principle of 'Management by Exception'. It stresses on the fact that everything cannot be effectively controlled. According to this principle, rather than controlling each and every deviation in performance, an acceptable limit of deviations in various activities should be set and only those deviations that go beyond the acceptable range should be brought to the notice of the managers for control. In other words, only the major deviations which are beyond permissible limit should be acknowledged. For instance, suppose the acceptable range of increase in the input cost is set at 3 percent. In this case, only a more than 3% increase in the input cost (say 7%) should be brought to the notice of the managers. On the other hand, a less than 3% increase (say 1%) should be neglected. Hence, an effort should be there to control only the major things instead of trying to control everything.

Answer:

Budgetary control is a technique of controlling that involves preparing plans in the form of budgets. Budget refers to a financial or a quantitative statement that defines the targets to be achieved and the policies to be followed in a specific period of time. The actual performance is then compared with the budgetary standards. This comparison helps in identifying the deviations and thereby, guides in taking appropriate corrective measures. Budget can be prepared for different divisions of the organisation such as sales budget, production budget, purchase budget, etc. However, for the budgeting to be effective, future estimates must be made carefully. Budgeting also acts as a source of motivation for the employees by setting the standards against which their performance will be assessed. Thus, it encourages them to achieve the set objectives. In addition, it is also used to facilitate coordination among different divisions/departments of the organisation. Moreover, proper budgeting ensures that resources are allocated to different divisions as per their requirements. Thereby, it helps in optimum utilisation of the resources. 

Answer:

Management audit refers to the extensive and constructive appraisal of the overall performance of the management of an organisation. It aims at improving the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the management. It evaluates all the functions performed by the managers and helps in identifying the deficiencies in the work performance. The effectiveness of management audit for controlling can be judged from the following points. 

i. Identification of Deficiencies: Management audit helps in recognising the current as well as probable deficiencies in the performances. Thereby, it helps in taking the necessary corrective measures. 

ii. Improves Efficiency: Through management audit, various activities of the management can be continuously monitored. Thereby, it helps in improving the overall efficiency of the management. 

iii. Enhances Coordination: It improves the coordination between employees as well as within the different functions of the organisation as it continuously oversees the work.

iv. Adapting to Environmental Changes: It helps the organisation to adapt to the environmental changes appropriately. This is done by ensuring that the managerial policies and strategies are up-to-date.

Answer:

The principle of management control that MsVasundhara should consider while taking her decision is Management by Exception. According to this technique ‘an effort to control everything may end up in controlling nothing’. Thus, only significant deviations which are beyond the permissible limit should be acknowledged. 
In this case, Mr. Bhanu had fallen short of only 10 units, he should not be terminated for such a small deviation.

Answer:

Controlling is a systematic approach of managing and controlling the organisational actions. The following are the steps involved in the controlling process.

(i) Setting Standards

Setting up of standards involves developing the benchmarks against which the actual performance is to be measured. The standards can be set in qualitative as well as quantitative terms. Qualitative benchmarks can be in the form of improving coordination in work, higher goodwill or increased motivation level of employees, etc. For example, to improve the motivation level among employees, standard can be set in terms of number of initiatives taken. Quantitative benchmarks can be in the form of sales targets, units to be produced or time to be spent on a particular action, etc. For example, in a shirt factory completing 10 pieces a day is a quantitative target. The standards that are set should be such that they facilitate easy comparison. 

(ii) Measuring Actual Performance

Once the standards are set, the next step is to measure the actual performance of the activities. This may be done through various techniques such as personal observation, checking the sample, performance reports, etc. The checking should be done in an exact and reliable manner so that correct measurement is taken for comparison. Measurement can be done after the completion of an activity as well as while it is in progress. For example, while assembling small parts of a bigger machine, the parts can be checked before assembling. This would ensure the continuous monitoring of the small parts as well as the final machine.

(iii) Comparing the Performances

Performances once measured are then compared with the set standards. Such a comparison helps in assessing the deviations in the work. Thereby, it guides the managers in taking the necessary steps so as to improve the performances. These comparisons are easier when they are in quantitative terms. For example, efficiency in work in terms of cost incurred can be measured against the standard cost. 

(iv) Analysing Deviation

Every organisation faces deviations when comparing the actual performance with the pre-developed standards. Thus, it is important to find the deviations that are in the permissible range. It is said that deviations in key areas should be attended first. For analysing the deviations the managers generally use 'Critical Point Control' and 'Management by Exception'. .

• Critical Point Control: An organisation cannot keep a check on all the activities of the management. Thus, this technique of controlling aims at focussing on only the key result areas (KRAs) that affect the entire organisation. For example, rise in input cost would be more important than rise in stationary cost.

• Management by Exception: This technique of management is based on the belief that 'an attempt to control everything results in controlling nothing'. According to this, only the essential and significant deviations that are beyond the acceptable limit should be controlled. For example, if there is a 6 per cent rise in labour cost whereas the permissible limit is just 3 per cent, then, this should be immediately brought into the notice of the management. On the other hand a 2 percent rise in the cost can be ignored. 

Once the deviations are recognised, it is necessary to acknowledge the cause for it. There can be a number of elements causing deviations in work such as infeasible standards, deficiencies in process, under utilisation of resources, changes in business environment, etc. Thus, it becomes important for the management to take into regard the causes for the concerned deviations.

(v) Corrective Measures

When deviations go beyond the admissible limits, there arises a need for the management to take corrective actions. This is the last step of controlling which aims at correcting the deficiencies of the organisation so that the errors do not occur again. For example, if the production target was not met duly, appropriate corrective actions such as training the workers or updating the machinery for working, etc. can be taken. 

Answer:

The techniques used for managerial control can be divided into two broad categories namely, Traditional Techniques and Modern Techniques.

Traditional Techniques

Techniques which are being used by the managers since long back, are known as traditional techniques. The following are traditional techniques of managerial control.

i. Personal Observation: This technique includes personal observation by the managers to oversee the work being done. It enables the manager to gather the right information and also creates a pressure on the workers to perform well as they are being continuously observed by their supervisor. However, it is a time consuming process and cannot be used where there are a variety of functions to be overseen. 

ii. Statistical Reports: Information in the form various statistical analysis such as averages, ratios, percentages, etc. can be easily presented in the form of graphs, charts and tables. Such presentation facilitates easy comparison of the performance with the standards. 

iii. Break-Even Analysis: It involves a study of relation between costs, volume and profits. Break-Even point refers to that quantity of sales where there is neither profit nor loss. It is determined at the point where total cost incurred is equals the total revenue earned. Through this technique, the manager can estimate the costs and profits to the organisation at various levels of quantity and thereby, find the level where profit can be maximised. 

iv. Budgetary Control: Budgetary control is a technique of planning the future operations in the form of budgets. Here, 'budget' refers to a quantitative or qualitative statement which presents the objectives to be achieved in a specified period of time. These budgets are then used as standards for measuring the actual performance. It also presents the time-bounded policies to be used for the attainment of the objectives. It also facilitates management by exception by focussing on the activities which deviate significantly from the set budgets. However, to ensure effectiveness of the technique, estimates about the future should be as accurate as possible. In addition, the budgets should be flexible so as to adapt to the changes in business environment. 

Modern Techniques

Modern techniques as the name suggests are modern and recent in origin. They are based on the new thinking of the managers and provide refreshing ideas for a better managerial control. Following are the highlighted modern techniques of controlling.

i. Return on Investment: Return on investment refers to the gains or benefits earned in relation to the investments done. It is a useful technique in measuring whether the invested capital is being used effectively and if a reasonable amount of returns are being generated from these investments. Managers can opt for this technique when comparing the performances of different departments or divisions or when comparing the present actions in relation to the previous year performance.

ii. Ratio Analysis: This technique involves calculating various ratios in order to analyse the financial statements. These ratios are then used as a tool for effective managerial control. Following are the most commonly used ratios for controlling.

(a) Liquidity Ratio, for determining the short-term solvency of business.

(b) Solvency Ratio, for determining the long-term solvency of a business.

(c) Profitability Ratios, for determining the profitability positions of a business.

(d) Turnover Ratios, for determining the efficiency of activities based on the utilisation of resources.

iii. Responsibility Accounting: Under this system, different divisions of an organisation are established as responsibility centres. The head of each centre is responsible for the targets and duties regarding his centre. The following are some of the responsibility centres that can be formed.

(a) Cost Centre, is responsible for the costs incurred by the organisation.

(b) Revenue Centre, responsible for the revenue generated from the sales or marketing activities.

(c) Profit Centre, responsible for the profits generated considering the costs and revenues.

(d) Investment Centre, it takes into account the investment made in the form of assets.

iv. Management Audit: It refers to a systematic approach for analysing and appraising the overall efficiency of the management of a company. It aims at reviewing the efficiency and effectiveness of the management in order to identify the deficiencies in the overall performance. It acts as an important control system by continuously monitoring the working activities of the managers. 

v. PERT and CPM: Programme Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) and Critical Path Method (CPM) are techniques that are based on network analysis. It involves dividing the entire project into various activities and then deciding a time line and cost estimate for each activity and for the entire project. As these techniques deal with time scheduling and resource allocation, they enable effective execution of the projects. Such techniques are generally used in ship-building, construction projects, etc.

vi. Management Information System: MIS is a computer based controlling technique that provides timely data and information to the managers while aiming at effective decision making. It processes the massive data of the organisation and generates useful information to the managers. MIS also ensures cost effectiveness in managing information as it facilitates collection and dissemination of information at different levels.

The aforementioned traditional and modern techniques can be used by the managers for effective and efficient controlling of the organisation.

Answer:

Controlling is an important and an indispensable function of management. It aims at managing the managerial actions by setting the standards and identifying the deviations of actual performance as against the set standards. It also ensures optimum utilisation of resources while taking corrective measures for the deviations. The following are the factors that highlight the importance of controlling.

(i) Achieving Organisational Goals: Controlling aims at accomplishment of the organisational goals by indicating the deficiencies and the corrective actions which are to be taken. It helps in moving in the right direction for attaining the set organisational objectives.

(ii) Evaluating the Standards: Controlling helps in judging the accuracy of the standards adopted by the management. A good controlling system enables the manager to check whether the set standards are accurate and feasible. It also helps the organisation to review and revise the standards according to the changing business environment.

(iii) Optimum Utilisation of Resources: A continuous control and monitoring helps in the efficient and optimum utilisation of resources. As each work is done according to the set standard, there is less wastage and spoilage of resources.

(iv) Employee Motivation: By exercising effective control, employees get to know well in advance about what is expected from them and the standards against which their performance will be assessed. This motivates them to achieve the assigned targets in a better way. 

(v) Order and Discipline: Efficient controlling helps in creating an atmosphere of order and discipline in the organisation. As the employees are aware of the fact that they are being continuously observed, dishonesty and inefficiency in behaviour is minimised. 

(vi) Promoting Coordination: Pre-determined standards provide a basis for better coordination within various activities. As the departments are made aware of their duties and tasks, controlling promotes coordination among them. Controlling provides unity of direction while ensuring that the organisational objectives are met.

Hence, Controlling is an important function that is performed by all the managers. However, controlling has some limitations. The following points highlight the problems faced by the organisation when implementing an effective controlling system.

(i) Complication While Setting Standards: It is important to set the standards in quantitative terms as well as qualitative terms for better controlling. However, controlling becomes less effective when the standards are defined in qualitative terms. Qualitative standards make the evaluation of the performance and the comparison of actual work with the standards, a complicated task. Thus, it might pose a problem in the process of controlling.

(ii) External Factors: Business environment keeps on changing and the organisation have very little control over such external factors. These factors might create hurdles in effective controlling. Such factors can be in the form of change in government policies, environmental changes, competition, etc.

(iii) Resistance from Employees: Controlling can be resisted by the employees if it goes against their comfort zone and freedom. For instance, if the managers set a defined quantity for production as a standard and if the workers take it as unrealistic, then they can go on strike.

(iv) Expensive Process: Effective controlling is a costly affair in terms of time, money and effort. For example, setting up of CCTVs involves a lot of costs. Thus, it may not be possible for a small organisation to set up such system. Thereby, the managers should ensure that the costs incurred in operating such controlling systems do not exceed the benefits derived from it.

Answer:

Planning and controlling are closely interrelated functions of management. On one hand, planning refers to the psychological process of thinking and deciding about what is to be done and how it is to be done. That is, planning decides the objectives to be achieved and the course of action to be followed. On the other hand, controlling refers to the process of managing and evaluating the work done in accordance with the standards and taking corrective measures, if there are any deficiencies. These standards that form the basis of controlling are provided by planning. The various objectives and policies as formulated under planning serve as standards against which the actual performance is evaluated. Controlling without planning is meaningless. If there are no standards and no objectives, there is nothing to control. That is, if the managers do not know what the final objective is, they do not have any standard against which they can judge the current performance and deficiencies. Similarly, planning without controlling holds no meaning. Once the plans are formulated, it becomes necessary to monitor and evaluate whether the performance is as per the desired plans. Controlling is a requisite for measuring whether the plan is being properly implemented, if there are any deficiencies in the work and if there is a need for taking corrective actions in order to achieve the planned goals. If there is no controlling, planning cannot be accomplished. Thereby, planning without controlling is of no use. Thus, it can be said that both planning and controlling complement each other. 

Both the concepts of planning and controlling are interlinked in a way as they are forward looking as well as backward looking. Though it is often said that planning is looking forward and controlling is looking backward, however, the statement is only partially true. Though planning is a futuristic concept dealing with preparing plans and setting standards in advance, it is also based on past experiences and actions initiated in the controlling function. Thus, planning besides being forward looking, is backward looking as well. Similarly, although controlling is based on the past actions and deals with comparing the current actions with the pre-defined standards, it also focuses on taking the corrective actions to improve the future performance of the management. Thus, controlling besides looking back, also looks forward. 

Hence, while on one hand, planning is a prerequisite for controlling, on the other hand, controlling is incomplete without planning. Both are inseparable functions that support each other towards the achievement of the goals of the organisation. 

Answer:

1. Controlling is an important and an indispensable function of management. It aims at managing the managerial actions by setting the standards and identifying the deviations of actual performance as against the set standards. It also ensures optimum utilisation of resources while taking corrective measures for the deviations. The following are the benefits that the company would derive from an effective controlling system.

i. With effective controlling the deficiencies in the system can be identified and accordingly corrective action can be taken. This would help in moving in the right direction as per the set objectives.

ii. A controlling system would help in judging the accuracy of the standards adopted by the management. It would enable the manager to review and revise the standards according to the changing business environment.

iii. A continuous control and monitoring helps in the efficient and optimum utilisation of resources. As each work is done according to the set standard, there is less wastage and spoilage of resources.

iv. The employees get to know well in advance about what is expected from them and the standards against which their performance will be assessed. This motivates them to achieve the assigned targets in a better way.

2. Planning and controlling are closely interrelated functions of management. While, planning decides the objectives to be achieved and the course of action to be followed, on the other hand, controlling refers to the process of managing and evaluating the work done in accordance with the standards and taking corrective measures, if there are any deficiencies. In the given situation plans can be made with regard to improving the sales, customer satisfaction and pricing policy. These plans would serve as standards in the controlling process. If there are no standards and no objectives, there is nothing to control.

3. The following steps would be followed in the controlling process.

i. Setting Standards: Setting up of standards involves developing the benchmarks against which the actual performance is to be measured. The standards can be set in qualitative (such as number of initiatives taken by an employee) as well as quantitative terms (such as in the form of sales targets, units to be produced).

ii. Measuring Actual Performance: Once the standards are set, the next step is to measure the actual performance of the activities. This may be done through various techniques such as personal observation and performance reports.

iii. Comparing the Performances: Performances once measured are then compared with the set standards. Such a comparison helps in assessing the deviations in the work. Thereby, it guides the managers in taking the necessary steps so as to improve the performances.

iv. Analysing Deviation: Every organisation faces deviations when comparing the actual performance with the pre-developed standards. Thus, it is important to find the deviations that are in the permissible range. It is said that deviations in key areas should be attended first. For analysing the deviations the managers generally use 'Critical Point Control' and 'Management by Exception'. Once the deviations are recognised, the cause for it must be identified.

v. Corrective Measures: When deviations go beyond the admissible limits, there arises a need for the management to take corrective actions. This is the last step of controlling which aims at correcting the deficiencies of the organisation so that the errors do not occur again.

4. The management can follow management by exception technique of controlling. According to this technique, only the essential and significant deviations that are beyond the acceptable limit should be controlled. For example, if there is a 6 per cent drop in sales whereas the permissible limit is just 3 per cent, then, this should be immediately brought into the notice of the management. On the other hand a 2 percent drop can be ignored.

Answer:

a. The features of Controlling highlighted in the above case are: (any two)

1. Goal oriented: Controlling keeps a close watch on the work in progress and constantly works towards the accomplishment of organisational goals. 
2. Continous process: Controlling is an on-going process as it involves a constant assessment and evaluation of the progress of current tasks and activities as against the set standards. 
3. Pervasive process: Controlling is a pervasive function. It is exercised by all managers irrespective of their level, department or division. 

1. Accomplishing organisational goals- Controlling indicates the deviations in performance and takes the required corrective measures. In this way, it helps in the accomplishment of organisational goals in a better manner. 
2. Evaluating the standards- It helps in assessing and reviewing the accuracy and feasibility of the set standards according to the changing business environment. 
3. Optimum utilisation of resources- Controlling ensures that each task is performed as per the set standards, thereby helping in minimising the wastage of resources. 
4. Employee motivation- The employees know well in advance as to what is expected from them and the standards against which their performance will be judged. This encourages them to work to the best of their capabilities and achieve the assigned targets.
5. Order and discipline- The employees are aware of the fact that they are being continuously observed. Thus, dishonesty and inefficiency in behaviour is minimised. 
6. Promoting coordination- Proper controlling ensures that every department is aware of its respective activities and tasks and coordinates with one another.