On January 1, 2020, the City of Hastings creates a solid waste landfill that it expects to reach capacity gradually over the next 20 years. If the landfill were to be closed at the current time, closure costs would be approximately $1.08 million plus an additional $770,000 for postclosure work. Of these totals, the city must pay $54,000 on December 31 of each year for preliminary closure work. At the end of 2020, the landfill reaches 2 percent of capacity. At the end of 2021, the landfill reaches 13 percent of capacity. At the end of 2021, a reassessment is made. Experts determine total closure costs will be $1.28 million rather than $1.08 million.

You work as the sales manager for a company that sells office supplies to businesses of all sizes. because the profit margins are razor-thin, you need to ensure that you are getting the very best prices on paper, pencils, pens, post-it notes, and other office supplies from the manufacturers. when reviewing the quarterly profit statement, you realize that your costs are higher than they should be, and you trace the higher costs back to an employee who has been lax about getting competitive bids to ensure the lowest prices. when you conduct your research to determine the reason for the higher costs, and take action to bring those costs back down, in which of the key management processes are you taking part?