Question

Describe the 3 approaches to bureaucratic control, giving an example of each. From a managerial perspective, which type of control is best, and why? Name a popular method of control that ties all 3 approaches of bureaucratic control, and explain how it addresses them.

Answer 1

The three approaches to bureaucratic control are feed-forward control, concurrent control and feedback control. In feedforward control, the manager controls the operations and practices before they begin by explaining how they should be done. The rules, policies and procedures that have to be strictly followed are explained to ensure the activities performed by employees in compliance. For example, a new project has come in hand and a meeting is held before commencing the work in which the work methods, procedures and roles and responsibilities of each employee are explained for control throughout the project.

Concurrent control is where the activities are controlled while they are being performed. It includes directing and monitoring the activities while they take place and correcting them where required. Example, the manager checks on the progress of the work of employees through a weekly meeting to see their performance and improvements required. Feedback control is where the activities are observed and evaluated after they are performed and their deviations from standards are identified and corrected. Example, after the employee completes and submits the work, it is checked and verified by the manager giving their feedback and pointing errors that should be avoided in future.

From the managerial perspective, the concurrent control is the best because it monitors and controls the activities simultaneously while they are being performed. This gives more effective outcomes and improves performances. Explaining the process and procedures and giving feedback later is also important for a fully effective control system but concurrent control is the most essential one in all the three approaches. Without practising concurrent control the other two controls will be very challenging to follow.

The method in which the three approaches of bureaucratic control can be followed is a non-quantitative approach. Under this approach the managers control employees' performance by planning, directing and improving methods. Employees are mentored and explained in words the way of doing work to achieve the expected results. The three approaches if bureaucratic control also follows the system of communicating the control standards and monitoring the performance based on them. It does not follow any quantitative evaluation methods. It takes place by discussion between employee and manager.