We explain what strategic, instrumental and control actions are in a technique, their functions and differences.
What are strategic, instrumental and control actions?
When we talk about strategic, instrumental and control actions, we are referring to the different elements that make up any technique, that is, the types of steps we must take to solve a given problem. These steps are always present sequentially, and are essential to understanding how technical systems operate.
Let's start by remembering that A technique is a set of procedures, steps, actions and standards that make up an established way of solving a problem or achieving an established goal.
It is a fundamental concept in human history, which can be applied to all types of fields: sports, art, education or construction, for example. Together with scientific knowledge, it has given us technology: scientific knowledge about techniques.
Thus, no matter what type of techniques we are referring to: dance techniques, wall painting techniques, carpentry techniques or techniques for baking a cake, in all of them three types of fundamental steps or actions will be given unequivocally, which are:
- Strategic actions. They are those that focus on prior planning and organization, that is, on the design of the path to follow and decision making. This is an analytical stage, in which we determine what exactly we are going to do and how.
- Instrumental actions. They are those that allow the collection and organization of the materials and tools necessary to implement the already designed strategy, taking into account their availability, but also efficiency and productivity criteria.
- Control actions. They are those that allow us to verify that things are going according to the established plan, that is, they allow feedback to the system, keeping an eye on performance, quality, quantity or whatever is necessary so that the results obtained are close to those desired.
For example, if we want to bake a cake, we will surely look for a recipe, which is nothing more than a description of the steps of a technique. In choosing the recipe and reading its steps, we are already carrying out a strategic action; while by gathering the ingredients and bringing them to the necessary finish (breaking and beating the eggs, oiling and flouring the mold, etc.) we are applying instrumental actions.
Finally, when we make the cake and check the recipe again to make sure we haven't made a mistake, and later taste the cake to check that it tastes as it should, we will be carrying out control actions.
Continue with: Strategic planning
References
- “Technique” in Wikipedia.
- “The instrumental actions of technique” in Nte (Mexico).
- “Components of the techniques” (video) in Pegatécnica Pedagógica.
- “Strategic, instrumental and control actions” (conceptual map) in Goconqr.
