Steps in Planning Process

1 Mark Questions

1. 'To see whether plans are being implemented and activities are being

performed according to schedule', is a step of planning process. Identify the step. (HOTS; All India 2013)

Ans. Follow-up action This step is concerned with carefully monitoring whether the plans are being implemented and activities are performed according to schedule or not. The managers need to carefully check that the premises are holding true in the existing conditions.

1. State first two steps in the process of planning. (Delhi 2009)

Ans. The first two steps in the process of planning are as follows:

1. Setting objectives.
2. Developing planning premises.
3. What is meant by selecting an alternative as a step in the planning process? (All India 2009)

Ans. Selecting an alternative means the best plan has to be adopted and implemented.

4/5 Marks Questions

1. After the following logical steps in the process of planning, explain the steps required to complete the process:
2. Setting objective
3. Developing premises, and
4. Identifying alternative courses of action (Compartment 2014)

Ans. The first step in the process of planning is setting objectives. After that development of premises is done. Then various alternatives are identified. After this, the following steps are followed to complete the process of planning:

1. Evaluating alternative courses After making the list of various alternatives along

with the assumptions supporting them, the manager starts evaluating each and every alternative and note down the positive and negative aspects of each alternative. After this ,the manager starts eliminating the negative aspects and the one with maximum positive aspects is selected as the best alternative.

1. Selecting an alternative This is the real point of decision-making. The best plan

has to be adopted and implemented. The ideal plan, of course, would be the most

feasible, profitable and with least negative consequences. After preparing the main plan, the organisation has to make a number of small plans to support the main plan.

1. Implementing the plan This is the step where other managerial functions also

come into the picture. This step is concerned with putting the plan into action, i.e. doing what is required, e.g.. if there is a plan to increase production then more labour and more machinery will be required. This step would involve organising labour and purchase of machinery.

1. Follow-up action To see whether plans are being implemented and activities are performed according to schedule, is also a part of the planning process. Monitoring the plans is equally important to ensure that objectives are achieved properly.
2. A company is manufacturing garments. The manager wants to increase the profits by purchasing new high speed machines or increasing the sale price or using waste material in manufacturing stuffed toys.

He decided that using waste material to increase the profit is the best solution for him. • Mention the steps involved in the above process by quoting the

lines from the question,

To complete the process of the concept identified. What further

steps does the manager have to take? (HOTS; All India 2009;

Delhi 2009C)

Ans. (i) The concept of management involved is planning.

1. The steps involved are:

Setting objectives Quoted in the line- The manager wants to increase the profits'.

Developing planning premises Making certain assumptions about

future.

Identifying alternative courses of action By purchasing new high

speed machines, or increasing sale price, or using waste material in

manufacturing stuffed toys.

<math>\blacksquare</math> Evaluating alternatives and selecting an alternative Using waste

material in manufacturing stuffed toys.

1. Further steps required to complete the process are:

Implementing the plan

• Follow-up action