Controlling

Introduction
In this essay assignment, I will summarize the chapter 8 (Controlling) from the text book (Managing Engineering and Technology) by Daniel L. Babcock and Lucy C. Morse.
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Definition of Control
By B. E. Goetz “compelling events to conform to plans” another author states that “control techniques and actions are intended to insure, as far as possible, that the organization does what management wants it to do”
The Process of Control: Steps in the Control Process
First step is establishing standards of performance. These standards should be measurable, verifiable, and tangible to the extent possible.
The second step is measurement of the actual level of performance achieved. The third step is comparing performance with standards. The final step is taking corrective action.
Closed-Loop Vs Open-Loop Control
Closed-loop control (automatic or cybernetic control)
Systems that utilize feedback are called closed-loop control systems. The feedback is used to make decisions about changes to the control signal that drives the plant. An open-loop control system doesn't have or doesn't use feedback.
Closed-loop control systems typically operate at a fixed frequency. The frequency of changes to the drive signal is usually the same as the sampling rate, and certainly not any faster. After reading each new sample from the sensor, the software reacts to the plant's changed state by recalculating and adjusting the drive signal. The plant responds to this change, another sample is taken, and the cycle repeats. Eventually, the plant should reach the desired state and the software will cease making changes.
Open-loop, or no cybernetic, control requires an external monitoring system and/or an external agent to complete the control loop. Open loop is a control system that does not have a feedback loop and thus is not self-correcting.
For example, a sprinkler system, programmed to turn on at set times could be an example of an open-loop system if it does not measure soil moisture as a form of feedback. Even if rain is pouring down on the lawn, the sprinkler system would activate on schedule, wasting water. Self-correcting.
In engineering management the last step in the control process, corrective action, usually requires human judgment.
Three Perspectives on the Timing of Control
Feedback control
A system in which the value of some output quantity is controlled by feeding back the value of the controlled quantity and using it to manipulate an input quantity so as to bring the value of the controlled quantity closer to a desired value. Also known as closed-loop control system.
Feedforward control
Process control in which changes are detected at the process input and an anticipating correction signal is applied before process output is affected.
Screening or concurrent controlControls may also be applied concurrently with the effort being controlled. A new engineer may be given an unfamiliar assignment one step at a time, with review by the supervisor after each step. A production schedule may include several in-process inspection points so that further investment in defective parts can be avoided.
Characteristics of Effective Control Systems
An effective control system should satisfy most of the following criteria:
Effective, Efficient, Timely, Flexible Understandable, Tailored, Highlight deviations, and Lead to corrective action.
Nonfinancial Contrlos
Management audits
Examination and appraisal of the efficiency and effectiveness of management in carrying out its activities. Areas of auditor interest include the nature and quality of management decisions, operating results achieved, and risks undertaken.
Human resource controls
Just as essential as assuring that actual financial performance conforms to plans is assuring that human and organizational performance conform to expectations.
Two tools used to evaluate collective human and organizational performance are the management audit and human resource accounting. Finally, one should consider social controls through group values and self-control.

Human resource accounting
Method that recognizes a variety of human resources and shows them on a company's balance sheet. Under human resource accounting, a value is placed on people based on such factors as experience, education, and psychological traits, and, most importantly, future earning power (benefit) to the company. The idea has been well received by human-resource-oriented firms, such as those engaged in accounting, law, and consulting. Practical application is limited, however, primarily because of difficulty and the lack of uniform, consistent methods of quantifying the values of human resources.

Conclusion
By the end of this essay, you have an overview about:
· Definition of controlling
· Closed loop and open loop
· Feedback and forward and screening control
· Some glossaries of nonfinancial controls