The control object is the variable of the system's behavior chosen for monitoring and control. Variations in the control object are the stimuli that trigger the functioning of the control system. Without these variations, the system would have no reason to exist. Since in reality there is never a perfect match between desired and actual outcomes, variations will always exist-thus the need for control.
Careful thought ought to be given to which of the system's output variables should be controlled. In most cases it is best to include both quantitative and qualitative attributes of the system's output among the control variables.
The control system keeps the system's output within certain predetermined limits via a self-regulating mechanism consisting of the control object; the detector, which monitors the changes in output over time; a comparator, which compares the sensed output against a set of standards; and an activator, which decides whether deviations recorded by the comparator warrant taking corrective action against the operating system's input function.
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