Programming the input field with a maximum permitted value is a preventive input control that can stop an unreasonable number of labor hours from being entered into the costing system. This type of limit or reasonableness check validates data at the point of entry and rejects values exceeding predetermined parameters. Recalculation controls verify mathematical processing but would not necessarily detect an excessive yet mathematically valid input. Reconciling input control totals can identify differences between expected and processed totals, but it generally functions as a detective control after data entry. A consistency check determines whether related data fields logically correspond but may not prevent an individual labor-hours value from exceeding a reasonable maximum. Because the identified problem involves excessively high numeric input, a programmed maximum-value attribute most directly prevents recurrence.