Professor Raúl Caldeira, one of those mentors who leave a lasting impact, used to say during his classes on unpredictability and the role of management: '...organizations must control the controllable to prepare for the uncontrollable...'
While it's impossible to foresee and prevent events or phenomena that can significantly disrupt an organization's day-to-day operations, managers must step in to mitigate the negative effects of these events and maximize any opportunities that may arise. The ultimate goal is always to act in the best possible way, executing the defined strategy.
The term 'controllable' means that the manager has the power—and the responsibility—to make decisions about the organization’s resources, engage, and motivate its people, and move to action. It sounds straightforward, but… how do you get everyone to understand the strategic objectives in the same way, agree on an action plan to achieve those objectives, know their role in this implementation, and use the available resources effectively? How can you motivate and encourage the expected behaviors within the organization? Moreover, how do you know if the plan is being implemented, if it's working, or if it's necessary to intervene and correct the course?
The manager's skill and art lie in developing a proactive organization capable of anticipating and understanding the impact of uncontrollable events and responding promptly and effectively. Management Control Systems (MCS), when properly designed and implemented, play a crucial role in this proactive approach.
The Executive Master in Management Control and Strategic Execution at Porto Business School is designed to develop the skills needed to create and implement Management Control Systems in organizations of various types.
The 16th edition of the Executive Master in Management Control and Strategic Execution will begin in January 2025, offering students the opportunity to learn and apply the main tools and methodologies associated with Management Control in detail, discussing aspects related to their implementation and practical use. Helping their organizations 'control the controllable and prepare for the uncontrollable.'
Article by Vasco Viana, Co-director of the Executive Master in Management Control and Strategic Execution."
