Why is strategic control important?

Strategic control is crucial because it ensures the effective implementation of strategic plans. This aspect of management focuses on monitoring and evaluating the progress of strategies in achieving the organization’s objectives. Through strategic control, management can ascertain if the strategic direction remains aligned with the company’s goals and if the strategies being executed are effective in navigating the competitive landscape.

Effective strategic control involves setting performance standards, measuring actual performance against those standards, and taking corrective actions when necessary. This process helps organizations remain agile and responsive to changes in the market, competitive pressures, and internal dynamics, ultimately enhancing their chances of success in achieving long-term objectives.

While minimizing costs, increasing employee morale, and streamlining corporate communication can be part of an organization's operational strategies, they do not capture the comprehensive oversight and adaptability that strategic control provides in managing and directing overall strategic efforts.