COURSE OVERVIEW:

Managers of most organisations continually plan for the future, and after the plan is implemented, managers assess whether they achieved their goals.

The two important functions that enable management to continually plan for the future and assess implementation are called planning and control. Planning is the process of establishing goals and communicating these goals to employees of the organisation. The control function is the process of evaluating whether the organisation’s plans were implemented effectively.

The planning function is the key to any successful business, no matter its size. Planning can help alleviate workplace stress and increase productivity. One main role of a manager is creating a plan to meet company goals and objectives. This involves allocating employee resources and delegating responsibilities, as well as setting realistic timelines and standards for completion. Planning requires those in management roles to continuously check on team progress in order to make small adjustments when necessary, while still maintaining a clear picture of a company's larger aims and goals.

The control function evaluates whether an organisation’s plans were implemented effectively and often leads to recommendations for the future. Many organisations compare actual results with the initial plan to evaluate performance of employees, departments, or the entire organisation.

Also, as a team leader, you almost certainly make plans every day, and you will no doubt be responsible for monitoring and controlling some of your team’s activities. As the definition above suggests, controlling is a matter of checking on performance, and taking appropriate corrective actions. There are many ways of reaching the same end goal, and what will be right for one team won’t suit another; nevertheless, the basic principles of planning and control are widely applicable.

Planning and controlling are critical functions within most organisations. In today’s business environment, effective planning and control can be the key to survival.

The first part of this course examines both control and planning systems, and sets out guidelines that will be useful in real-life work situations. Then discusses seven stages of controlling work activities. Also looks at a model for planning and controlling.

The second part examines the ways in which controlling resources contributes to planning and implementing a project. Then discusses a number of resources: materials, plant and equipment and people. Then considers other important topics such as Quality; work flow and work methods and others.

The third part is about planning and control of projects. It starts by discussing what projects are, and what project managers do. Then examines project planning and project costs.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand:

·       The importance of the plan and control functions

·       The planning and controlling work processes

·       The control systems

·       The open and closed loops

·       The stages in control

·       How to define objectives?

·       Why clear objectives are necessary for good control?

·       How to make plans? And communicate your plan?

·       How to set performance standards?

·       How to collect data? And compare results with standards and objectives?

·       How to take corrective actions?

·       How to plan the use of resources?

·       How to control, receive, handle, process and store materials?

·       How to control quality?

·       How to get your team to ‘think quality’?

·       How to control plant and equipment?

·       How to assess space and arrange equipment?

·       How to lay out a new work area for your work-team?

·       The ways to measure how well space is used

·       How to maintain plant and equipment?

·       How to control work methods?

·       How to schedule work flow?

·       The importance of team motivation

·       How to create the right atmosphere for your team?

·       The importance of job enrichment

·       The importance of training and development

·       How to plan and control projects?

·       What is project management?

·       The difference between project management and other kinds of management

·       What is meant by project constraints?

·       How to know what you want to achieve?

·       How to prioritise tasks?

·       How to plan a project?

·       How to decide what work to be done?

·       How to identify why the work needs to be done?

·       How to decide on who will do what ?

·       How to help the team through the storming phase?

·       How to plan how the work will be done and when?

·       The critical path method (CPM)

·       How to plan where the work will be done?

·       How to estimate project costs?

·       The categories of project expenditure

·       How to set budgets?

·       How to keep track of project costs?

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.