The principle of management by exception is a belief that managers should be provided with information that directs their attention to activities that require corrective action. The concept is premised on the belief that managers do not have time to review every action pf every subordinate nor to consult with each subordinate prior to each action. This is not to say that managers main task is correcting problems or putting out fires, but simply that managers need not take action in the many areas where the work is proceeding as planned