Controlling as an essential part of management is forward as well as backward looking. It is a backward looking function in the sense that it assesses the work done and analyses deviations from the set standards. Based on these deviations it attempts to take the required corrective measures.
Controlling is backward looking because It postmortems all past activities to set future standards. Thus, controlling is both forward as well as backward looking.
Planning without controlling is meaningless because, in the absence of controlling, it is impossible to monitor the progress and keep a check on the proper implementation of plans.
Control is said to be forward looking because it keeps focusing on future plans, helps learn from the past failure and helps in making new and better plans.
If you describe someone or something as backward-looking, you disapprove of their attitudes, ideas, or actions because they are based on old-fashioned opinions or methods.
Though fancy as it sounds, backward thinking is what you actually have used since you were a kid. Remember the last time you lied to someone? For example, when you didn't come on time. You started with not coming on time, went backwards to seek excuse and settled with reason that there was a traffic jam.
/ˈbæk.wɚdˌlʊk.ɪŋ/ opposed to change or new ideas: The business is rapidly losing money because of their backward-looking ideas.
'Planning is looking ahead and controlling is looking back'.
They may intimidate you, keep you isolated, threaten you with violence, or terrorize you with actual violence. The controlling person might limit your freedom and independence by: Keeping you away from family, friends, and other supportive people -- or making you feel guilty when you spend time with loved ones.
A controlling relationship is one where one partner dominates the other in an unhealthy, self-serving manner. If your partner constantly makes you feel intimidated, insecure, or guilty, you could be in a controlling relationship. And control in a relationship is a form of abuse.
Both planning and control are concerned with the future activities of the firm. Planning is always done for the future. And control too is a forward-looking activity. The past cannot be changed or controlled, we can only focus on controlling the future.
Difference Between Controlling and Planning
Planning means deciding the way to perform actual work. Controlling including measurement of employees performance and feedback. Planning is a function that decides when, how, where and who will perform the function.
When we focus on what we can control, our thoughts empower us and then trigger positive emotions. That's why in a Manual for Living, Roman and Stoic philosopher Epictetus wrote: “Happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle: Some things are within our control, and some things are not.
Based on these deviations it attempts to take the required corrective measures. Thus, it guides the future course of action and aims at improving the future performance. In this sense, it is also a forward looking function. Hence, we can say that controlling is forward as well as backward looking function.
Three basic types of control systems are available to executives: (1) output control, (2) behavioral control, and (3) clan control. Different organizations emphasize different types of control, but most organizations use a mix of all three types.
What's paradoxical about the understandable fear of machines taking control through software, robots, and artificial intelligence is that new technology is often introduced in order to increase our control of a certain task. This is what Ezio Di Nucci calls the “control paradox.”
They are terrified of failure, particularly their own and of being unable to fathom the consequences when things go wrong. There is a core of fearfulness or anxiety about their own limitations (often unexplored), a worry about not being respected and a distrust in the ability of others to do what they ask of them.
Summary. Controlling people attempt to assert power and control over others through manipulative tactics such as blaming, being critical, and shutting others down. They may not be aware they are exhibiting this behavior, which often stems from their own anxiety.
The control function can be viewed as a five-step process: (1) establish standards, (2) measure performance, (3) compare actual performance with standards and identify any deviations, (4) determine the reason for deviations, and (5) take corrective action if needed.
Backward-looking expectations mean that in order to predict what's going to happen tomorrow agents use present and past information. In consequence, if we want to know how the economy or any variable will perform in the future we need to use the information from the past in order to predict its behavior.
Forward facing – You'll be facing the front of the train. You may also be facing another passenger,sometimes with a table between you. Backward facing – You'll be facing the back of the train. You may also be facing another passenger, sometimes with a table between you.
a of or relating to the past; conservative or reactionary. b (in combination) backward-looking. 4 reluctant or bashful.