Control limits in process management are used for what purpose?

Control limits in process management serve the primary purpose of ensuring that processes operate within predefined thresholds of performance. By establishing these boundaries, control limits help organizations monitor and maintain process stability, allowing for consistent quality and performance. They are integral to statistical process control, which focuses on identifying variations in a process, enabling teams to take corrective actions before deviations lead to defects or inefficiencies.

The correct option emphasizes the alignment of actions with business goals because when control limits are effectively set and adhered to, they facilitate the continuous improvement of processes. This alignment helps organizations achieve desired outcomes, such as increased efficiency, reduced waste, and enhanced customer satisfaction.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately represent the function of control limits. Slowing down production, limiting employee access to data, or decreasing product variety are not objectives of control limits and do not contribute to effective process management. These aspects might relate to different operational strategies but do not encapsulate the essence of utilizing control limits in monitoring and improving processes.