Documentos de Académico
Documentos de Profesional
Documentos de Cultura
INTRODUCTION
Planning is the process of bridging the gap between where we are and where we want to be in the
future. In other words, planning is “looking ahead, relating today’s events with tomorrow’s
possibilities.” It is the process of deciding in advance what to do, how to do, when to do it, and
who does what. Proper planning minimizes risk and ensures that resources are efficiently and
effectively utilized.……...………………………………………………………………………….
With planning
Future position
With planning
Present
Position of Future position
organizati Without planning
on
In simple words, planning is deciding in advance what action to take, how and when to take a
particular action, and who are the people to be involved in it. It involves anticipating the future
and consciously choosing the future course of action.…………………………………………
Dalton E. McFarland’s definition of planning takes into account the dynamic nature of the
environment. He defines planning as follows:……………………………………………………...
“Planning is a concept of executive function that embodies the skills of anticipating, influencing
and controlling the nature and direction of change.”……………………………………………….
Characteristics of Planning
1.Goal-oriented
Planning is goal-orient in the sense that plans are prepared and implemented to achieve certain
object
2.Basic to all managerial functions. ………………………………………………………….
Planning is a function that is foundation of management process. Planning logically precedes all
Other functions of management, such as organization, staffing, etc. Because without plan there is
nothing to control. Every managerial action has to be properly planned.
3.Pervasive.
Planning is a function of all managers, although the nature and extent of planning will vary with
their authority and level in the organization hierarchy. Managers at higher levels spend more
time and effort on planning than do lower manager.
PLANNING
4.Interdependent process. ………………………………………………………………………
Planning affects and is affected by the programs of different department in so programs
constitute an integrated effort.
5.Integrating process. …………………………………………………………………………..
Planning is essential for the enterprise as a whole. Newman and others have drawn our attention
towards this feature of planning, “without planning, an enterprise will soon disintegrate: the
pattern of its action would be as random as that made by leaves scampering (running quickly
in short steps )before an autumn wind, and its employees would be as confused as ants in an
upturned anthill.” If there are no plans, action will be a random activity in the organization,
instead there will be chaos.
6. Continuous process.
Planning is a continuous process. Old plans have to be prepared in case the environment
undergoes a change. It shows the dynamic nature of planning. It is never ending process.
Planning is very important in all types of organizations. It forces organizations to look ahead and
decide their future course of action so as to improve their profitability. Organizations that plan in
advance are more likely to succeed than those which fail to plan for the future.
Planning is the first step in the management process. It ensures that the employees of an
organization carry out their work in a systematic and methodical manner. It also helps coordinate
and control various tasks and makes sure that resources are used optimally.
Establishment of
Objective
Establishment of
Planning Premises
Choice of alternative
course of action
Securing Co-
operation
Follow up
Process of Planning
1. Establishment of objectives
a. Planning requires a systematic approach.
b. Planning starts with the setting of goals and objectives to be achieved.
c. Objectives provide a rationale for undertaking various activities as well as indicate
direction of efforts.
d. Moreover objectives focus the attention of managers on the end results to be achieved.
e. As a matter of fact, objectives provide nucleus to the planning process. Therefore,
objectives should be stated in a clear, precise and unambiguous language. Otherwise the
activities undertaken are bound to be ineffective.
f. As far as possible, objectives should be stated in quantitative terms. For example,
Number of men works, wages given, units produced, etc. But such an objective cannot be
PLANNING
stated in quantitative terms like performance of quality control manager, effectiveness of
personnel manager.
g. Such goals should be specified in qualitative terms
2. Establishment of Planning Premises
a. Planning premises are the assumptions about the lively shape of events in future.
b. They serve as a basis of planning.
c. Establishment of planning premises is concerned with determining where one tends to
deviate from the actual plans and causes of such deviations.
d. It is to find out what obstacles are there in the way of business during the course of
operations.
e. Establishment of planning premises is concerned to take such steps that avoids these
obstacles to a great extent.
f. Planning premises may be internal or external. Internal includes capital investment
policy, management labor relations, philosophy of management, etc. Whereas external
includes socio- economic, political and economical changes. Internal premises are
controllable whereas external are non- controllable.
3. Choice of alternative course of action
a. When forecast are available and premises are established, a number of alternative course
of actions have to be considered.
b. For this purpose, each and every alternative will be evaluated by weighing its pros and
cons in the light of resources available and requirements of the organization.
c. The merits, demerits as well as the consequences of each alternative must be examined
before the choice is being made.
d. After objective and scientific evaluation, the best alternative is chosen.
e. The planners should take help of various quantitative techniques to judge the stability of
an alternative.
4. Formulation of derivative plans
a. Derivative plans are the sub plans or secondary plans which help in the achievement of
main plan.
b. Secondary plans will flow from the basic plan. These are meant to support and expedite
the achievement of basic plans.
PLANNING
c. These detail plans include policies, procedures, rules, programmers, budgets, schedules,
etc. For example, if profit maximization is the main aim of the enterprise, derivative
plans will include sales maximization, production maximization, and cost minimization.
d. Derivative plans indicate time schedule and sequence of accomplishing various tasks.
5. Securing Co-operation
a. After the plans have been determined, it is necessary rather advisable to take subordinates
or those who have to implement these plans into confidence.
b. The purposes behind taking them into confidence are :-
a. Subordinates may feel motivated since they are involved in decision making process.
b. The organization may be able to get valuable suggestions and improvement in
formulation as well as implementation of plans.Also the employees will be more
interested in the execution of these plans.
6. Follow up/Appraisal of plans
a. After choosing a particular course of action, it is put into action.
b. After the selected plan is implemented, it is important to appraise its effectiveness.
Conclusion: - Planning is the 1st & the most important function of management. As it is very
essential in every walk of life & it tell the relation between perception & expectation.