A control is generally defined as the power or ability to direct, regulate, or manage something or someone's behavior or actions. It involves ordering, limiting, or ruling over a system, process, or group to achieve desired outcomes or maintain stability
. In different contexts, control has specific meanings:
- In management and business , control is a key function that helps identify errors, measure performance against standards, and take corrective actions to ensure organizational goals are met effectively. It involves setting standards, monitoring actual performance, and making adjustments as needed to keep activities aligned with plans
- In business ownership , control refers to the ability to make major corporate decisions, typically held by those owning a majority share (usually 51% or more) of a company. This control determines who has ultimate authority over decision-making and can influence the board of directors and executive management
- In risk management and security , a control is a measure or mechanism implemented to manage or mitigate risks to an acceptable level. Controls can be preventive, detective, or corrective and include technical, operational, and administrative actions designed to protect assets and ensure system integrity
- In systems and engineering , control governs how a system behaves or functions, maintaining stability and correcting deviations to achieve desired outputs
In summary, control is the ability or mechanism to guide, regulate, or command actions and processes to achieve specific objectives or maintain order across various domains.
