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· Most managers – in business and service organizations today are at least familiar with the term planning and its applications.
· There is no completely agreement among the people - even the researchers – with regard the definition of planning, as each has his or her definition that represents his/her opinion.
· Among the most common definition for planning: planning is the process by which an individual or organization decides in advance on some future course of action.
· The purpose of every plan and all derivative plans is to facilitate the accomplishment of enterprise purpose and objectives.
· Planning is the primary management function, but it is included in the other managerial functions.
· Planning is a function of all managers, although the character and breadth of planning will vary with their authority and with the nature of policies and plans outlined by their supervisors.
· The efficiency of a plan is measured by the amount it contributes to purpose and objectives.
· The nature of planning can be figured out from these major aspects of planning:
(a) Contribution to purpose and objective.
(b) Primacy of planning.
(c) Pervasiveness of planning.
(d) Efficiency of plans.
· The importance of planning can be figured out from the following points:
(a) Planning offsets uncertainty and change.
(b) Planning focuses the attention on the objectives.
(c) Planning gains economical operations.
(d) Planning facilitates control.
· There are many factors affect the effectiveness of planning.
· There are many steps for developing any plan (planning processes), they are:
(a) Being aware of opportunity.
(b) Establishing objectives.
(c) Considering the planning premises.
(d) Determining and identifying the alternative courses.
(e) Evaluating these alternatives.
(f) Selecting the appropriate course of action.
(g) Developing plans to pursue the chosen alternative.
(h) Number zing plans by budget.
(i) Putting the plans into action.
· There are many outstanding benefits that result from the statement of planning objectives, these are:
(a) Objectives provide direction.
(b) Objectives serve as motivators.
(c) Objectives contribute to the management process.
(d) Objectives are the basis for management philosophy.
(e) Objectives serve as a guide for organizational consistency.
· There are many types of plans; this depends on the major dimensions of plans.
· The major dimensions of plans are:
(a) Repetitiveness dimension.
(b) Time dimension.
(c) The scope dimension.
(d) The level dimension.
· Examples for plans: policies, procedures, rules, programs, budgets, strategies, tactical.
· There are many steps for developing strategy, they are:
(a) Determine the current domain of the enterprise.
(b) Determine the different trends (Social, economical…..)
(c) Determine the current strengths and weaknesses.
(d) Decide the target domain.
(e) Set specific objectives.
· The main principles for effective planning are:
(a) Develop accurate forecasts.
(b) Gain acceptance for the plan.
(c) The plan must be sound.
(d) Be objective.
(e) The plan must be flexible.
(f) It must fit the situation.
· There are many reasons for planning failure, among the most important of them:
(a) The plan is not integrated into the total management system.
(b) Management at different levels has not properly engaged in or contributed to planning activities.
(c) Management fails to operate by the plan.
(d) Using inadequate inputs in planning.
(e) The failure of management to grasp the overall planning process.
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