Get premium membership and access questions with answers, video lessons as well as revision papers.
Planning is not a random process but one that generally follows certain steps. However the steps
vary depending on the nature of the plan i.e. whether major or minor. In an exam situation
always use an example to illustrate the planning process such as plan to buy company car, plans
to introduce computers etc.
Step 1: Identification of opportunities
This step includes a preliminary look at possible future opportunities and deciding what the
strengths and weaknesses of the organization are. The manager must have a careful scan of
competition, customers, and the external environment.
Step 2: Establishing objectives
Here the manager must answer the question of "where the organization wants to go, how and
when to get there". Objectives must be established for the entire organization and then for each
unit.
Step 3: Consider planning premises
Need to establish in what environment internal or external the firm's plans will operate.
Questions like what kind of markets will there be? what quantity of sales? what prices? costs?
wage rates? tax rates and policies. In premising the manager establishes and obtains agreement to
utilize and disseminate critical planning premises, which are forecast data of factual nature
applicable to the organizations plans, laws and policies.
Step 4: Determine alternative courses
The alternative courses of action should be determined. For each plan there can be several and
different ways of approaching the objectives
Step 5: Evaluate the alternatives
The alternative courses should be examined and the strengths and weaknesses determined in the
light of the objectives. The risks and returns involved in each alternative should be examined.
Step 6: Select one course of action
This is the point of decision making, deciding which out of the alternative course of action
should he selected for adoption.
Step 7: Formulate derivative plans
To support the basic plan, some derivative plans are required - for example most plans may go
with the hiring of staff and this needs other smaller plans.
Step 8: Numberise the plans by budgeting
The plans must be given meaning by converting them into budgets, for example by showing the
incomes, costs and expenses to be expected. Budgets when well formulated become important
standards against which planning progress can be measured.
Kavungya answered the question on May 17, 2019 at 14:16
- Highlight the main advantages of the scientific school of thought.(Solved)
Highlight the main advantages of the scientific school of thought.
Date posted: May 17, 2019. Answers (1)
- Outline the main features of a bureaucracy as described by Max Weber.(Solved)
Outline the main features of a bureaucracy as described by Max Weber.
Date posted: May 17, 2019. Answers (1)
- Outline the criticisms leveled against the classical theories of management.(Solved)
Outline the criticisms leveled against the classical theories of management.
Date posted: May 17, 2019. Answers (1)
- Describe the following approaches to management thought:
(i) The classical approach.
(ii) The behavioural approach.
(iii) The management science approach.(Solved)
Describe the following approaches to management thought:
(i) The classical approach.
(ii) The behavioural approach.
(iii) The management science approach.
Date posted: May 17, 2019. Answers (1)
- Explain five reasons why the scientific management approach was criticised by contemporary
management theorists.(Solved)
Explain five reasons why the scientific management approach was criticised by contemporary
management theorists.
Date posted: May 17, 2019. Answers (1)
- State the six categories into which Henry Fayol classified business operations in organisations.(Solved)
State the six categories into which Henry Fayol classified business operations in organisations.
Date posted: May 17, 2019. Answers (1)
- Briefly discuss Max Weber's contribution to the understanding of bureaucracy as a form of
organisation structure.(Solved)
Briefly discuss Max Weber's contribution to the understanding of bureaucracy as a form of
organisation structure.
Date posted: May 17, 2019. Answers (1)
- Highlight ten principles of management as advanced by Henry Fayol(Solved)
Highlight ten principles of management as advanced by Henry Fayol
Date posted: May 17, 2019. Answers (1)
- Enumerate four contributions of the Classical Theory to the study of management(Solved)
Enumerate four contributions of the Classical Theory to the study of management
Date posted: May 17, 2019. Answers (1)
- With reference to management thought highlight eight advantages of the scientific approach to
management.(Solved)
With reference to management thought highlight eight advantages of the scientific approach to
management.
Date posted: May 17, 2019. Answers (1)
- Summarise eight features of the neo-classical theory.(Solved)
Summarise eight features of the neo-classical theory.
Date posted: May 17, 2019. Answers (1)
- Describe Henry Mintzberg's roles of management based on the following:
a) Interpersonal roles.
b) Informational roles.
c) Decisional roles.(Solved)
Describe Henry Mintzberg's roles of management based on the following:
a) Interpersonal roles.
b) Informational roles.
c) Decisional roles.
Date posted: May 17, 2019. Answers (1)
- Identify five external environmental forces and explain how they influence managerial
decisions of a company.(Solved)
Identify five external environmental forces and explain how they influence managerial
decisions of a company.
Date posted: May 17, 2019. Answers (1)
- Briefly explain the functions of management.(Solved)
Briefly explain the functions of management.
Date posted: May 17, 2019. Answers (1)
- Outline ten qualities of an effective manager.(Solved)
Outline ten qualities of an effective manager.
Date posted: May 17, 2019. Answers (1)
- Explain five activities that an organisation might be engaged in which may be considered as
social irresponsible.(Solved)
Explain five activities that an organisation might be engaged in which may be considered as
social irresponsible.
Date posted: May 17, 2019. Answers (1)
- Identify the three levels of management and describe the main functions of each of the levels.(Solved)
Identify the three levels of management and describe the main functions of each of the levels.
Date posted: May 17, 2019. Answers (1)
- Differentiate between management roles and management functions.(Solved)
Differentiate between management roles and management functions.
Date posted: May 17, 2019. Answers (1)
- Describe four decisional roles of a manager.(Solved)
Describe four decisional roles of a manager.
Date posted: May 17, 2019. Answers (1)
- Management policies must have certain characteristics in order to be effective.
With reference to the above statement, explain four characteristics of effective management
policies as advanced by...(Solved)
Management policies must have certain characteristics in order to be effective.
With reference to the above statement, explain four characteristics of effective management
policies as advanced by Ziegler.
Date posted: May 17, 2019. Answers (1)