Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Practice Test

Which function of management is most directly involved with correcting deviations from goals?

1. Planning

2. Staffing

3. Controlling

4. Evaluating

The correct answer is: Controlling

The function of management that is most directly involved with correcting deviations from goals is controlling. This process entails monitoring performance, comparing it to established standards, and taking corrective actions when necessary to ensure that organizational goals are met. Controlling allows managers to identify any discrepancies between actual performance and the desired outcomes. By doing so, they can implement adjustments to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, ensuring that the team stays on track towards achieving their objectives. In the context of management functions, planning involves setting objectives and outlining how to achieve them, staffing focuses on recruiting and placing the right personnel, and evaluating pertains to assessing the outcomes of completed tasks or projects. While these functions are essential, they do not specifically address the ongoing process of monitoring and correcting performance to keep a team aligned with its goals, which is the core aspect of controlling.