Question

Discuss the control mechanisms and role of structure in strategy implementation and evaluation. Technology may play a role in this to some extent.

Answer 1

The control mechanism is developed to ensure that strategy is properly implemented and evaluated on a regular basis of time so that corrective action is taken. Here, the placement of proper structure at different level of management, helps the control mechanism to implement it. As a part of control mechanism, the key objectives of the strategy on a time milestone basis is developed and implementation plan is formulated. Afterwards, on a regular basis, the actual results and the planned objectives are compared and necessary action is taken to make strategic implementation in place. While doing so, each managerial position at different level of management has been assigned key roles and responsibility as a part of the structure to implement the strategy. It eliminates ambiguity and bring clarity. Due to this structure in place, each position has defined roles to play and these roles are interconnected. It ensures that strategy is properly implemented. As a result, there is a higher probability of the success of strategic implementation due to the presence of control mechanism and structure for the strategic implementation. Here, technology has an exclusive role to play and assist in strategic implementation. Technology helps to analyze the data for the managers to take informed decisions, technology helps to make fast & accurate communication among the different functions of the organization using enterprise wide applications. Besides, technology helps to track the result of the strategic implementation with the planned & expected results on a real time basis so that corrective action is taken. So, technology improves the accuracy level of control system and structure in successful implementation of the strategy.