Planning

Subject: Leadership and Management (Theory)

Overview

At all levels of decision-making, planning is simply a process of choosing amongst available choices. It is a planned future course of action to meet the organization's goals and objectives. Planning is just deciding in advance what will be done in the coming minutes, days, months, and years. Planning is the process through which management identifies goals and takes the required actions to guarantee that these goals are met. Planning entails looking forward in a disciplined manner. It is critical for organizational effectiveness. As a result, it illustrates the following aspect of planning.

At all stages of decision-making, planning is simply a process of selecting between available possibilities. It is a planned course of action to fulfill the organization's goals and objectives.

Planning is just deciding ahead of time what will be done in the next minutes, days, months, and years. Decisions are made at the planning stage on what needs to be done, how and when it has to be done, by whom, and with what resources. It is a method of thinking before acting.

Planning is the process by which management identifies goals and takes the required measures to accomplish those goals. - Steers, Richard

Purposes of Planning

  • To guard against uncertainty.
  • To achieve the goal.
  • To allocate resources based on the need.
  • To energize the organization.
  • To encourage coordination among employers and resources.
  • To offer consistent control.
  • To stay abreast of technical, socioeconomic, and other changes.

Nature of Planning

Planning is a systematic way of looking forward. It is critical to organizational effectiveness. As a result, it exhibits the following planning nature.

  • Primary functions
  • Pervasiveness
  • Intellectual process
  • Focused on objectives
  • Continuous process
  • Selective process
  • Future-oriented
  • Increase efficiency

Primary Functions

Planning is one of the basic functions of management; without it, goals, a course of action, organizing, leading, or regulating have no meaning.

Pervasiveness

Every manager is responsible for planning. However, the nature and breadth of planning may vary. There are different degrees of management. Top management establishes the mission and objectives, while lower management executes the strategy.

Focused on Objectives

A plan must have objectives or goals. The manager chooses an action based on objectives/goals. Action is also determined by what is available.

Future-oriented Planning

Planning should be focused on the future and provide direction to the company.

Selective Process

A company should have options. It is focused on making decisions.

  • What is to be done?
  • How is it to be done?
  • When is it to be done?
  • By whom is to be done?

Intellectual Process

A manager should plan using his or her imagination and creative thinking.

Continuous Process

Planning is an ongoing activity. A process is a methodical approach to doing things.

Increase Efficiency

The primary goal of planning is to improve organizational efficiency at all levels.

References

  • www.nursingworld.org › What is Nursing? › Tools You Need
  • www.slideshare.net/anuchithra/nursing-process-planning
  • www.nursingprocess.org/Nursing-Process-Steps.html
  • Pathak, Sumita and Sochana Sapkota. A Textbook of Leadership and Management. Bhotahity, Kathmandu: Vidyarthi Pustak Bhandar, 2014.
Things to remember
  • At all stages of decision-making, planning is simply a process of selecting between available possibilities.
  • It is a planned course of action to fulfill the organization's goals and objectives.
  • Planning is just deciding ahead of time what will be done in the next minutes, days, months, and years.
  • Planning is the process by which management identifies goals and takes the required measures to accomplish those goals.
  • Planning is a systematic way of looking forward.
  • It is critical to organizational effectiveness. As a result, it exhibits the following planning nature.
Questions and Answers

At all levels of decision-making, planning is ultimately a process of choosing amongst available options. In order to accomplish the aims and objectives of the organization, it predetermines a future course of action.

Planning really just means making decisions in advance on what will be done in the upcoming seconds, minutes, days, months, and years.

Decisions are taken at the planning stage regarding what has to be done, how, when, by whom, and with what resources.

A planned approach to looking ahead is methodical. The effectiveness of the organization depends on it. Thus, it indicates the nature of planning as follows.

  • Primary functions:
    • The essential role of management is planning; without it, objectives, a course of action, organizing, leading, or managing are meaningless.
  • Pervasiveness:
    • Planning is a task that every management must perform. The nature and extent of planning, however, could differ. There are many managerial levels. While subordinate managers carry out the strategy, top managers establish the mission and objectives.
  • Focused on objectives:
    • The focus of a strategy must be on its aims or objectives. Manager chooses the action in accordance with objectives and aims. The available also influences how we act.
  • Future-oriented planning:
    • Planning should be future-focused and provide the organization direction.
  • Selective process:
    • A company should offer choices. It has to do with making choices.
      • What is to be done?
      • How is to be done?
      • When is to be done?
      • By whom is to be done?
  • Intellectual process:
    • Managers should make plans using their imaginations and innovative thinking.
  • Continuous process:
    • The process of planning is ongoing. A process is a methodical approach to anything.
  • Increase efficiency:
    • Planning's primary goal is to improve the organization's overall efficiency.

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