Based on semi-structured interviews, a survey and archived audit reports, this study found that the often legally enforced hard controls are not enough to keep the Dutch Defence organization in control. To be effective, these hard controls must be used in the right way and intensity and they should be embedded in a system in which soft controls play an important role. Especially the soft controls congruency and discussability impact positively on both kinds of resources management. Therefore the main task of the commanders and managers in the Dutch Defence organization regarding careful resources management may be showing -not only in words but also in deeds- that they care about resources management while creating conditions for sharing knowledge and encouraging people to discuss the problems they face so they can learn from their mistakes.