• What do you mean by objectives?
  • Some say the objectives should be SMART. What does it mean?
  • What do you mean by Planning?
  • How does Planning reduce the risk of uncertainty?
  • Explain whether Planning promotes or reduces creativity.
  • What are the features of Planning?
  • Explain the limitations of Planning.
  • Explain the external limitations of Planning.
  • How does Planning provide the base for future course of action ?
  • Explain the steps in the process of Planning.
  • What are the essentials of management objectives?
  • What do you mean by planning premises?
  • Define the terms: policy, rule, strategy, program, procedure, method, and budget.
  • What is major policy?
  • What do you mean by minor policy?
  • What do you mean by single use plan and standing plan?
  • Differentiate single use plan and standing plan.
  • Which quality of employee is restricted by planning?
  • How does planning provide direction?
  • Planning function of management is conducted at which level of management ?
  • One of the functions of management is considered as a base for all other functions. Name that Function.
  • "Planning strangulates the initiative of the employees and compels them to work in an inflexible manner” Discuss.
  • Which limitation of planning suggest that the employees stop thinking and become the blind followers of plan?
  • In which type of plan the sequence to perform a job is determined?
  • Which plans suggest action and non-action of employees?
  • In which step of planning process the planners make prediction and assumptions regarding future?
  • How should a manager select the best possible course of action?
  • Without one function of management the controlling function is not possible. Name the concerned  function.
  • Planning is an activity which enables a manager to look ahead and anticipate changes. Mention the benefit of planning highlighted here.
  • Planning ensures clarity in thoughts and actions, works is carried on smoothly without interruptions. Which point of importance of planning is mentioned here?
  • It helps the manager to look into future and make a choice among various alternative courses of action. Write the importance of planning indicated here.
  • Planning lays down the base for other functions of management, which feature of planning is highlighted here?
  • A plan is framed it is implemented and is followed by another plan and so on. Mention the feature of Planning indicated here?
  • Which features of Planning is stressed by saying that planning is an intellectual activity of thinking  rather than doing?

Indirect Questions and Case Studies

  • “No Smoking", the statement is related to which type of plan?
  • McDonald does not give its franchise to any other company which is running food business. This is Related to which type of plan?
  • Name the type of plan which serve as a guide for overall business planning and define the future state of affair which the organization strives to realize?
  • Government is planning to construct a warehouse in remote area to store necessary goods. So as to make them available even at the time of bad weather regularly. What type of plan is it?
  • ABC Ltd. has the largest share of 50% in the market. The company’s policy is to sell only for cash. In 2020, for the first time company’s number one position in the industry has been threatened because other companies started selling rice on credit also. But the managers of ABC Ltd. continued to rely on its previously tried and tested successful plans which didn’t work because the environment is not static. This led to decline in sales of ABC ltd. The above situation is indicating two limitations of planning which led to decline in it sales. Identify these limitations.
  • Laxmi Chemicals Ltd., a soap manufacturing company, wanted to increase its market share from 30% to 55% in the long-run. A recent report submitted by the Research & Development Department of the company had predicted a growing trend of herbal and organic products. On the basis of this report, the company decided to diversify into new variety of soaps with natural ingredients having benefits and fragrances of Jasmine, Rose, Lavender, Mogra, Lemon Grass, Green Apple, Strawberry etc. The Unique Selling Proposition (USP) was to promote eco-friendly living in the contemporary life style. The company decided to allocate ₹30 crores to achieve the objective. Identify the type of one of the functions of management mentioned above which will help the company to acquire dominant position in the market.
  • Suhasini, a home science graduate from a reputed college, has recently done a cookery course. She wished to start her own venture with a goal to provide ‘health food’ at reasonable prices. She discussed her idea with her teacher (mentor) who encouraged her. After analysing various options for starting her business venture, they short listed the option to sell readymade and ‘ready to make’ vegetable shakes and sattu milk shakes. Then, they weighed the pros and cons of both the short listed options. Name the function of management being discussed above and give its five characteristics.
  • Two years ago, Madhu completed her degree in food technology. She worked for some time in a company that manufactured chutneys, pickles and murabbas. She was not happy in the company and decided to have her own organic food processing unit for the same. She set the objectives and the targets and formulated an action plan to achieve the same. One of her objectives was to earn 10% profit on the amount invested in the first year. It was decided that raw materials like fruits, vegetables, spices, etc. will be purchased on three months credit from farmers cultivating only organic crops. She also decided to follow the steps required for marketing of the products through her own outlets. She appointed Mohan as the Production Manager who decided the exact manner in which the production activities were to be carried out. Mohan also prepared a statement showing the number of workers that will be required in the factory throughout the year. Madhu informed Mohan about her area wise sales target for different products for the forthcoming quarter. While working on the production table, a penalty of ₹100 per day for not wearing caps, gloves and apron was announced. Quoting lines from the above paragraph, identify and explain the different types of plans discussed.
  • Two years ago, Mayank obtained a degree in food technology. For some time, he worked in a company that manufactured bread and biscuits. He was not happy in the company and decided to have his own bread and biscuits manufacturing unit. For this, he decided the objectives and the targets, and formulated an action plan to achieve the same. One of his objectives was to earn 50% profits on the amount invested in the first year. It was decided that raw materials like flour, sugar, salt, etc. will be purchased on two months credit. He also decided to follow the steps required for marketing the products through his own outlets. He appointed Harsh as the Production Manager who decided the exact manner in which the production activities were to be carried out. Harsh also prepared a statement showing the requirement of workers in the factory throughout the year. Mayank informed Harsh about his are a wise sales target for different products, for the forthcoming quarter. While working on the production table, a penalty of ₹150 per day was announced for not wearing the helmet, gloves and apron by the workers. Quoting lines from the above paragraph, identify and explain the different types of plans discussed.
  • Rahul, a worker, is given a target of assembling two computers per day. Due to his habit of doing things differently, an idea struck him which would not only reduce the assembling time of computers but would also reduce the cost of production of the computers. Instead of appreciating him, Rahul’s supervisor ordered him to complete the work as per the methods and techniques decided earlier as nothing could be changed at that stage. The above paragraph describes one of the limitations of the planning function of management. Name and explain that limitation.

 

 Write the values involved or ignored in the following cases:

  • In order to reduce the cost, an organization is planning the following:
  1. To reduce the charities to the social and religious institution.
  2. To arrange skilled workers from outside inspite of semi-skilled local employees.
  3. To increase the working hours.
  4. To increase the rate of remuneration.
  • Tobacco manufacturer is planning to sell its products outside the School & colleges.
  • In an organization executive director takes all the decision himself. He does give order only to the subordinates.
  • The CEO of an automobile enterprise dreams of his company becoming the best player in future, for which he sets the objectives, forecasts the future and develops various courses of action.
  1. Identify the management function which is highlighted here.
  2. What are the various values the CEO is striving to achieve?
  • Reducing wasteful activities and establishing standards?

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