Meaning of planning

Correct answer: A. Deciding in advance what to do and how to do it

Planning is the managerial function of deciding in advance what is to be done, how it is to be done, when it should be done and, where necessary, by whom. It connects organisational objectives with a practical course of action before actual work begins. Thus option A is correct because it contains the central idea of advance decision-making about both the task and the method. Option B is the opposite of planning, since it ignores prior thought. Paying salaries is an administrative or financial activity, not the meaning of planning, and preparing a report after sales is a form of review rather than advance planning.

Correct answer: B. Future action

Planning means deciding in advance what is to be done in the future, how it will be done, when it will be done, and who will do it. Therefore, it is mainly related to future action. Analysis of past mistakes may help in planning, but it is not the central focus of planning. Exam tip: Remember planning as a future-oriented function of management.

Correct answer: C. Because objectives and methods are decided before starting work

The direct answer is option C: objectives and methods are decided before work begins. Planning means thinking about the future and choosing in advance what is to be done, how it will be done, when it will be done, and sometimes who will do it. The reasoning is simple: first identify the desired objective; next consider possible methods and resources; then select a suitable course of action; only after that begin implementation. Option C is correct because it contains both important elements—future objective and method decided before action. Option A is wrong because decisions made after completion belong to review or corrective action, not the basic meaning of planning. Option B is wrong because planning always has an objective, even if the objective differs in different organisations. Option D is wrong because control compares actual performance with standards and takes corrective action; it is a related management function, but planning is not only control. For example, deciding before the year starts to increase sales by a stated amount and choosing the required budget and method is planning. A weak student can remember: plan first, act later. Planning does not guarantee success, but it gives direction and reduces careless action.

Correct answer: D. Setting objectives

Planning begins with setting objectives. Objectives specify what the organisation wants to achieve; alternatives and courses of action are considered only after this is clear. Managing leave or buying furniture may be particular administrative decisions, not the first general step in planning. Exam tip: remember that the first step in the planning process is setting objectives.

Correct answer: A. Planning is advance thinking about future actions

Planning means thinking about future activities in advance and deciding the objectives and actions needed to achieve them. It is a conscious managerial process that reduces uncertainty by preparing a course of action, although it cannot eliminate every unexpected event. Option A is correct because it expresses this basic idea of advance thinking about future work. Option B is incorrect because reliance on luck is not a managerial plan. Option C describes inspection or control, which may occur after work has begun, while option D refers only to a narrow payroll activity and has no connection with the complete meaning of planning.

Correct answer: B. What to do and how to do it

The governing concept is the managerial meaning of planning. Planning is a deliberate process of deciding future objectives and selecting the actions, methods and resources needed to achieve them. Therefore, its central questions are “what is to be done?” and “how is it to be done?” Planning may also clarify when an activity will occur and who will perform it, but these details support the main decision about work and its method. Option A concerns music preference, option C concerns decoration, and option D is an irrelevant physical comparison. None of them expresses a management function. Thus, option B accurately states what planning answers.

Correct answer: C. Planning

Planning is the management function in which objectives are decided in advance and the course of action for achieving them is selected. A manager does not begin with random activity. First, the desired result is made clear; then the manager considers possible methods and chooses the most suitable one. This gives work a direction and provides a basis for later management activities.

The situation in the question follows exactly this sequence: the manager first sets goals and then chooses how to achieve them. That is the meaning of planning, so option C is correct. Controlling checks whether actual performance matches the plan, staffing deals with people and positions, and coordination brings activities into harmony. Those functions may support management, but they do not describe the stated first step of deciding goals and action.

Correct answer: A. Selecting a suitable method or alternative to achieve the objective

In planning, choosing a course of action means selecting the most suitable method or alternative from the available options to achieve a stated objective. Therefore, option A is correct. Changing employee numbers or removing old records may be administrative actions in some situations, but they do not define a course of action. Exam tip: Remember ‘course of action’ as the chosen alternative or method for reaching an objective.

Correct answer: C. The future

Planning is mainly concerned with the future because it involves deciding objectives in advance and preparing a course of action to achieve them. Past experience and present information may help in planning, but planning itself is made for future activities. Exam tip: Link planning with thinking in advance and acting for the future.

Correct answer: A. To achieve organisational objectives

Planning is the process of deciding in advance what is to be done, how it will be done, and when it will be done to achieve objectives. Therefore, achieving organisational objectives is the main purpose of a plan. Keeping records of past activities is record-keeping, not planning. Exam tip: Link planning with future action and goal achievement.

Correct answer: B. Intellectual process

Planning is called an intellectual process because it requires thinking, analysing information, forecasting likely conditions, comparing alternatives and making decisions before action is taken. A manager must identify objectives and select a suitable course of action rather than respond randomly. Therefore option B is correct. Option A is self-contradictory because planning requires organised thought; option C is too narrow because physical effort is not the defining feature; and option D is also incorrect because planning applies to all kinds of organisations and is not limited to legal procedures. Its essential character is mental decision-making.

Correct answer: C. Future conditions are estimated

Planning estimates future conditions. Estimates are not fully certain so plans should be flexible.

Correct answer: B. When future activities need to be organised

Planning is the process of deciding goals, methods and sequence of actions in advance for future work. Therefore, it is most needed when future activities have to be organised. The absence of a goal does not remove the need for planning, because setting objectives is itself a part of planning. Exam tip: Link planning with future action, objectives and advance preparation.

Correct answer: A. Because other functions work on the basis of plan

Organising directing and controlling follow planning. Therefore it is called a primary function.

Correct answer: A. Most suitable course of action

In planning the best course is selected from many alternatives. Decision making is an important part of it.

Correct answer: B. To direct resources and efforts towards objectives

The purpose of planning is to organise organisational resources and employees’ efforts towards achieving predetermined objectives. Therefore, option B is correct. Making work unclear or postponing decisions is contrary to planning, which provides clear direction and timely action. Exam tip: In planning questions, look for ideas such as objectives, direction, optimum use of resources, and reduced uncertainty.

Correct answer: C. Confusion and wastage of resources may occur

Planning clarifies objectives, methods of work and the use of resources in advance. Without it, employees may face confusion and resources such as time, money and effort may be wasted. Options A and B are incorrect because organised work and clear goals result from planning; they do not arise automatically. Exam tip: Remember that planning provides direction, clear objectives and efficient use of resources.

Correct answer: A. A framework is prepared in advance

Planning is the process of preparing objectives, a course of action, and required resources in advance for future work. Therefore, option A is correct. Evaluating only past results may be part of controlling, but it is not the main function of planning. Exam tip: Planning is future-oriented and is done before action is taken.

Correct answer: B. Before work starts

Planning means deciding in advance what is to be done, how it will be done, when it will be done, and who will do it. Since these decisions are made before the actual work begins, planning comes before action. It gives direction to employees and helps an organisation use its time and resources purposefully rather than acting randomly.

For example, before opening a shop, the owner may decide the objective, required resources, method of work, and schedule. These decisions guide the later activities. Work being completed, control being exercised, or acting without an objective cannot be called the beginning of planning. Therefore, option B is correct because planning requires decisions before the start of operations.

Correct answer: A. Planning

Setting a sales target for the next month and choosing a promotion method means deciding future objectives and the course of action in advance. Therefore, it is planning. Controlling compares actual performance with set standards, whereas this situation is about setting the target and method beforehand. Exam tip: If objectives, time period, and method are decided in advance, it usually indicates planning.

Correct answer: B. Means are linked to achievement of objectives

Planning arranges means to achieve objectives. Resources are useful when linked with objectives.

Correct answer: A. Because objectives and course of action are decided

A wish expresses a desired result, but it does not necessarily identify a target, resources, responsibilities, time frame or method. Planning converts a desired result into an organised and practical course of action by defining objectives and deciding how they will be achieved. It also involves evaluating alternatives and making choices before implementation. Option A is correct because it distinguishes purposeful planning from passive hope. Options B, C and D are false: planning requires thinking, is directed towards the future and necessarily involves decisions about suitable actions and methods.

Correct answer: C. Decision making

Decision making is essential to planning because a manager must choose objectives, priorities, methods, schedules and resources from among available alternatives. Planning is not merely listing possibilities; it involves selecting a desirable and feasible course of action and committing the organisation to it. Therefore option C is correct. Option A rejects objectives, although objectives guide every plan. Option B replaces deliberate choice with chance, and option D ignores the purpose of planning, which is to prepare for future conditions and reduce avoidable uncertainty. Uncertainty may remain, but it does not eliminate the need for decisions.

Correct answer: A. Lack of direction

Planning sets objectives and outlines a course of action to achieve them. It tells managers and employees what to do and the direction in which to proceed, thereby reducing lack of direction. Clarity of objectives and orderliness in work are increased by planning, not reduced. Exam tip: Remember that a key benefit of planning is that it provides direction.

Correct answer: B. Optimum use of resources becomes possible

Planning involves selecting the best course of action from available alternatives. This helps an organisation use limited resources such as money, time, labour and materials more efficiently and optimally. Option C may seem related, but planning does not eliminate decision-making; it supports better decisions. Exam tip: Link planning with optimum resource utilisation and improved efficiency.