Planning in Management

Welingkar’s Distance Learning Division
CHAPTER-03
PLANNING
We Learn – A Continuous Learning Forum

Introduction
 Planning is essential in every walk of life. Each and
every person has to frame a plan to recede in his
activities. The plan period may be short or long.
Planning is the first and foremost function of
management.
 Effective planning facilitates early achievement of
objectives, which depends upon the efficiency of the
planner. A planner can develop his efficiency by
preparing himself to face the functional
developments.

Does water flowing in a
distant mountain think
about its distance from
the ocean?
The distance between my
current position and my
desired goals is very big.
But I shall reach my goals.

Meaning of Planning
 Planning is an intellectual process of thinking
resorted to deicide a course of action which
helps achieve the predetermined objectives of
the organization future. Separate plans are
prepared for various departments, and then
the top executives of the organization take
steps to co ordinate the various departmental
plans.

Definition
 There are various definitions by various
eminent writers in the field of management.
But in nut shell Terry has rightly said that
“Planning is the selecting and relating of facts
and the making and using of assumptions
regarding the future in the visualization and
formulations of proposed activities believed
necessary to achieve desired results

Characteristics of Planning
 Following are the characteristics of planning.
 Planning is looking into the future.
 Involves pre determined line of action.
 It discovers the best alternative out of available many alternatives.
 It requires considerable time form implementation.
 It is a continuous process.
 Its object is to achieve pre determined objectives in a better way.
 It integrates various activities of organization.

Characteristics of Planning
 It is done for a specific period.
 It not only selects the objectives but also develops policies,
programs and procedures to achieve the objectives.
 It is required at all levels of management.
 It is an interdependent process which co ordinates the various
business activities.
 It directs the members of the organization.
 Growth and prosperity of any organization depends upon planning.

Objectives of Planning
Anticipates
unpredictable
contingencies
Economy in
operation
Achieving the
predetermined
goals
Reduce
competition
Brings
cooperation
and
coordination
Reduces
uncertainty
PLANNING

Nature of Planning
 Economy and certainty are considered while
selecting the best alternative among the available
ones.
 The nature of planning is as below that is self
explanatory.
 Primary Function
 Planning contributes to objectives
 Planning is an intellectual activity
 Planning results in higher efficiency
 Planning is a continuous process

Nature of Planning
 Planning is flexible
 unity and consistency
 Planning is common to all
 Basis for all managerial functions
 Getting coordination
 Considering limiting factors

Planning Vs. Forecasting
 Remember planning is not forecasting.
Forecasting is guessing of the future course of
events correctly, whereas planning is a wider
term that includes forecasting and it is part of
planning and is based on the past experience.

Importance of Planning
 Through planning objectives are achieved and
anticipates the achieved well in advance.
Defective planning leads to failure of the
organization. Effective planning can anticipate
the uncertain events and help prepare the
workforce to meet the situation to survive.
Planning helps the business man get early
success.

Importance of Planning
Tackling increasing
To manage by complexities of
objectives business
Effective
Convert utilization of
uncertainty into resources
certainty
Effective
Help in co control
ordination
Economy in Avoiding
operation business failures

Advantages of Planning
 Better utilization of resources
 Helps in achieving objectives
 Economy in operation
 Minimizes future uncertainties
 Improves competitive strength
 Effective control
 Motivation

 Cooperation
 Promote growth and improvement
 Develops rationality among management
executives
 Prevents hasty judgment
 Reduces redtapism
 Encourages innovative thought

 Improves ability to cope with change
 Creates forward looking attitude in management
 Development of efficient methods
 Delegation of authority facilitated
 Anticipation of crisis

Steps of planning process
Analysis of external Determining Formulation of action
Environment secondary programs
plans
Analysis of internal Follow up
environment and Establishing the
evaluation sequence of activities
Determination of Securing
Objectives participation
of employees Selection of the best
Determining planning alternative course of
premises and constraints action
Examination of alternative Weighing alternative course
Courses of action of action

Methods of Planning
Objective plans
 Objectives are treated as basic a plan that is
necessary for all types of planning operations.
Objective also play role in organizing,
directing and controlling.

Standing plans Standing plans
 It includes policies and procedures and is
liable repetitive actions. Actions can be
repetitive and non repetitive. It helps ready
guidelines for solving recurring problems.
Recurring problems are solved in different
way

Master plans
 Master plan covers the complete course
of action along with consideration of
time and strategy. Plans may be either
broad or detailed in character

Limitations of Planning
 Inflexibility
 Limitation of forecasts
 Unsuitability
 Time consuming
 Costly
 Mental ability

Limitations of Planning
 False sense of security
 Delay during emergency period
 Capital Investment
 Political climate
 Trade unions
 Technological changes

Obstacles of Planning
 Unreliability of forecasts
 Recurrence of same type of problems
 Expensive
 Loss of initiative

Planning in Management

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