Planning and controlling are interrelated and in fact reinforce each other in the sense that-
1. Planning is pre-requisite for controlling. Plans provide the standard for controlling. Thus, without planning, controlling is blind. If the standards are not set in advance managers have nothing to control.
2. Planning is meaningless without controlling. It is fruitful when control is exercised. It discovers deviations and initiates corrective measures.
3. Effectiveness of planning can be measured with the help of controlling.
4. Planning and controlling both are forward looking: Planning is a future oriented function as it involves looking in advance and making plans based on forecasts about future conditions.
Controlling is referred to as looking forward because the corrective action in controlling is taken to prevent the recurrence of the deviations in future.
5. Planning and controlling are both looking back: Planning is looking back because new planning is guided by the problem identified in the past. Controlling is looking back as it compares the actual performance with standards. This involves scrutinising the events after they have taken place.
Thus, planning and controlling cannot be separated. The two are
supplementary function which support each other for successful execution.
Planning makes controlling effective whereas controlling improves future
planning.
