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Accessibility statement
An image to illustrate Managing uncertainty through monitoring and control short course
In this CPD course, you'll explore the importance of strategic monitoring and control systems and why they are essential for effective strategy implementation. While there are many types of monitoring and control, this course focuses on their role in management. Managers take on many roles, such as motivator, coordinator, controller and investigator, and are responsible for turning inputs into outputs. To do this, they rely on systems and processes. Since no system is perfect, managers must monitor performance, respond to change and make adjustments when needed. This course will help you understand how to manage these processes more effectively.
This Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course is intended to help you to monitor and control systems and processes in your role. The course comprises four units:
Unit 1: The control loop
We will begin by strengthening the manager’s position by focusing on that element of control − notably, the control loop, what its functions are and how this applies to management.
Unit 2: Process control
This unit applies the concept of the control loop to production processes. In particular, it looks at how an understanding of the natural variation in the performance of any process helps a manager to have insight on when to act on the monitoring information and when to leave the process alone.
Unit 3: Cost control
This unit looks at some of the common approaches to cost control that fit with the control loop concept.
Unit 4: Control of organisations
The final unit looks at the idea of corporate governance and how organisations are managed. You'll also look at internal controls – the instructions, regulations and checks used to make sure the right things are done and mistakes do not happen.
All the information you need to complete the course is provided within each unit. There are also links to material and resources provided, to explore topics further as you wish.
By the end of this CPD course you will be able to:
This course was designed to be independently studied with no tutor support. StudentHome is a dedicated website that provides general study support and there is a computing helpdesk.
There an end-of-course quiz to test your knowledge and understanding. Once completed and successfully passed you will receive a digital badge and a course completion certificate which you can download as a record of your learning.
The course will require around 10 hours to complete.
You can begin at any time during the life of the course and study at your own pace. The course will be open to you for a time period of between 6 and 18 months, depending on your course registration date, and you will be advised of the specific time limitations upon enrolment.
All learning materials, exercises, study support and end of course quiz are delivered entirely online.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
There are no formal academic requirements.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact us.
The course is delivered online and makes use of a variety of online resources. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in using a computer or the internet you are advised to contact us about support which can be given to meet your needs.
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying BGXS013 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
StartEngland fee
At anytime before 31/07/2026£150
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
If this course is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could ask your employer to sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees. Your sponsor just needs to complete a simple form to confirm how much they will be paying and we will invoice them.
The fee information provided here is valid for short courses starting in the 2026/27 academic year. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
You can start this course anytime.
You can start this course anytime.
Level info