What occurs in the planning function of management?
Planning – A Management Function
Planning – A Management Function Show In the world of management, planning is a very important function since it is the first of the basic functions of management which are planning, organizing, directing, coordinating and controlling. It is often being thought that planning is the most fundamental of the managerial functions since all other functions stem from the planning function. Planning prepares organizations for tomorrow by assessing today what an organization wants to accomplish and how it will go about achieving that goal. Through planning, management decides the best alternative among others to perform different managerial functions in order to achieve predetermined goals. Without setting a goal to be reached and lines of action to be followed, there is nothing to organize, to direct, to coordinate and to control in the organization. However this should not lead one to hold the view that planning is an isolated activity required in the beginning only. On the other hand, it is a continuous and unending process to keep the organization on the path of progress while other management functions are also performed simultaneously. Planning is nothing but looking ahead and preparing the organization for the future course of actions which need to be followed. It is a preparatory step and consists of chalking out an activity plan for doing the things in an orderly manner for the achievement of the desired targets and objectives. It is a mental predisposition to think before acting and to act in the light of facts rather than guesses. It is a detailed programme regarding future course of action. It is a systematic activity which determines why an action is needed, what is to done, who has to carry out the action, how it is to be done and when to be done. It bridges the gap between where we are, and where we want to go. It makes possible things to occur which would not otherwise occur. The idiom ‘well planned is half done’ amply describes the importance of planning as a management function. Planning takes into consideration of available and prospective human and physical resources of the organization so as to get effective co-ordination, contribution as well as perfect adjustment. It includes formulation of one or more detailed plans to achieve optimum balance of needs or demands with the available resources. Through the function of planning policies, programmes, procedures, budgeting and other related elements gets generated. There are several steps involved in the process of planning. These steps include (i) choosing of goals,(ii) identification of actions, (iii) allocation of responsibilities, (iv) reviewing the performance , and (v) making adjustment in the plan. These steps are shown in Fig 1. Fig 1 Steps in the process of planning Characteristics of planning
Limitations of planning There are several limitations of planning. Some of them are inherit in the process of planning like rigidity etc. while the other arise due to the shortcoming of the techniques of planning and in the planners themselves. These limitations are due to the causes which can be either internal to the organization or due to the factors which are external to the organization. For planning function to be useful and purposeful, management is to be aware of the limitations usually associated with the planning process. Major limitations are given below.
External limitations of planning include change in the political climate, loss of time due to strikes, lockouts, agitations since this factor cannot be considered in the planning, technological changes which are affecting the work environment, change in the policies of the competitors, the natural calamities, and changes in demand and prices etc. Planning impacts everything which is done in an organization either in a positive or negative way. It makes supervision more effective and hence makes the work more efficient. Poor planning and lack of planning brings inefficiencies in the organization. Further both the proper planning and the poor planning has a multiplier effect on the working environment of the organization. What are the planning function in management?Planning: is the function of management that involves setting objectives and determining a course of action for achieving those objectives. Organizing: is the function of management that involves developing an organizational structure and allocating human resources to ensure the accomplishment of objectives.
What is involved in the planning function of management quizlet?Planning is the act or process of creating goals and objectives as well as the strategies to meet them. Organizing is getting the resources arranged in an orderly and functional way to accomplish goals and objectives. Leading means providing direction and vision.
What are the 5 steps in the planning process in management?5 steps of the strategic planning process. Determine your strategic position.. Prioritize your objectives.. Develop a strategic plan.. Execute and manage your plan.. Review and revise the plan.. What are the 4 types of planning in management?The 4 Types of Plans. Operational Planning. “Operational plans are about how things need to happen,” motivational leadership speaker Mack Story said at LinkedIn. ... . Strategic Planning. “Strategic plans are all about why things need to happen,” Story said. ... . Tactical Planning. ... . Contingency Planning.. |