Planning Process: 7 Vital Steps of Planning

Planning Process: 7 Vital Steps of Planning

Meaning of Planning

Planning is ascertaining prior to what to do and how to do. It is one of the primary managerial duties. Before doing something, the manager must form an opinion on how to work on a specific job. Hence, planning is firmly correlated with discovery and creativity. But the manager would first have to set goals. Planning is an essential step what managers at all levels take. It requires making decisions since it includes selecting a choice from alternative ways of performance.

Also Check: What is the Importance of Planning?

Planning Process

As planning is an activity, there are certain reasonable measures for every manager to follow:

(1) Setting Objectives

• This is the primary step in the process of planning which specifies the objective of an organisation, i.e. what an organisation wants to achieve.
• The planning process begins with the setting of objectives.
• Objectives are end results which the management wants to achieve by its operations.
• Objectives are specific and are measurable in terms of units.
• Objectives are set for the organisation as a whole for all departments, and then departments set their own objectives within the framework of organisational objectives.

Example:

A mobile phone company sets the objective to sell 2,00,000 units next year, which is double the current sales.

(2) Developing Planning Premises

• Planning is essentially focused on the future, and there are certain events which are expected to affect the policy formation.
• Such events are external in nature and affect the planning adversely if ignored.
• Their understanding and fair assessment are necessary for effective planning.
• Such events are the assumptions on the basis of which plans are drawn and are known as planning premises.

Example:

The mobile phone company has set the objective of 2,00,000 units sale on the basis of forecast done on the premises of favourable Government policies towards digitisation of transactions.

(3) Identifying Alternative Courses of Action

• Once objectives are set, assumptions are made.
• Then the next step is to act upon them.
• There may be many ways to act and achieve objectives.
• All the alternative courses of action should be identified.

Example:

The mobile company has many alternatives like reducing price, increasing advertising and promotion, after sale service etc.

(4) Evaluating Alternative Course of Action

• In this step, the positive and negative aspects of each alternative need to be evaluated in the light of objectives to be achieved.
• Every alternative is evaluated in terms of lower cost, lower risks, and higher returns, within the planning premises and within the availability of capital.

Example:

The mobile phone company will evaluate all the alternatives and check its pros and cons.

(5) Selecting One Best Alternative

• The best plan, which is the most profitable plan and with minimum negative effects, is adopted and implemented.
• In such cases, the manager’s experience and judgement play an important role in selecting the best alternative.

Example:

Mobile phone company selects more T.V advertisements and online marketing with great after sales service.

(6) Implementing the Plan

• This is the step where other managerial functions come into the picture.
• This step is concerned with “DOING WHAT IS REQUIRED”.
• In this step, managers communicate the plan to the employees clearly to help convert the plans into action.
• This step involves allocating the resources, organising for labour and purchase of machinery.

Example:

Mobile phone company hires salesmen on a large scale, creates T.V advertisement, starts online marketing activities and sets up service workshops.

(7) Follow Up Action

• Monitoring the plan constantly and taking feedback at regular intervals is called follow-up.
• Monitoring of plans is very important to ensure that the plans are being implemented according to the schedule.
• Regular checks and comparisons of the results with set standards are done to ensure that objectives are achieved.

Example:

A proper feedback mechanism was developed by the mobile phone company throughout its branches so that the actual customer response, revenue collection, employee response, etc. could be known.

1 Mark Questions:

Q. “To See Whether Plans Are Being Implemented and Activities Are Being Performed According to Schedule,” is a Step of Planning Process. Identify the Step.

Answer:

Follow up action.

Q. Which is the Most Crucial Step in the Planning Process?

Answer:

Setting objectives.

Q. What is meant by ‘follow Up’ as involved in the Planning Process?

Answer:

It means to ensure the actual work is taking place as per the planned work.

The above mentioned concept ‘Planning Process’ is elucidated in detail for Class 12 Commerce students. To know more, stay tuned to BYJU’S.