Question

Characteristics of planning. 

State any four characteristics of planning.

Answer 1

The following points highlight the characteristics of planning:

1. Objective-oriented: Planning serves as a basis for all other functions. It helps in determining what goals are to be achieved and how those goals are to be achieved. Every management should formulate plans keeping specific goals in mind.
2. Stepping stone: Planning acts as the stepping stone in the success of any organisation. This means that planning precedes all other functions like organising, directing, staffing and controlling. This is because plans state the objectives and all other functions are in accordance with those objectives.
3. Pervasive: Planning must be done at all levels of an organisation. It is not just a function of the top-level managers; it should be performed at every level of management. However, its scope differs along the various dimensions of a business.
4. Continuous: Planning should be done continuously. This is because after the completion of one planned project, a need arises for the formulation of another plan, keeping in view new objectives and circumstances.
5. Choice-making: Planning is a process of making choices among different alternatives available for the attainment of the desired objectives. These alternatives are based on the path to be taken and strategies or policies to be used for the achievement of goals. 
6. Forward-looking: Since planning is done to accomplish certain goals in the future, it is future-focused. It focuses on anticipating and getting ready for upcoming chances, difficulties, and unknowns.
7. Flexible: Plans need to be able to alter as the internal and external environment does. Plans may need to be updated, modified, or realigned when circumstances change and new information becomes available in order to stay applicable and efficient.