Objectives

Objectives should be realistic and achievable with the organisation’s available resources and capabilities. This makes them practical guides for action.

The direct answer is A: an objective states a result, while a rule gives a command. An objective describes the target or outcome that an organisation wants to achieve, such as increasing sales by a stated amount. A rule tells people what they must do or must not do, such as “no entry without permission.” Option A is correct because it clearly separates the desired result from the compulsory instruction. Option B reverses the meanings: a prohibition is closer to a rule, while a target is an objective. Option C is wrong because an objective is not a technique and a rule is not a budget. A budget expresses planned financial figures. Option D is wrong because a procedure explains steps, while a policy is a broad guide for decisions; neither pairing gives the stated difference. Exam cue: ask, “Is it the result to reach or the command to obey?” Result means objective; command means rule.

The objective specifies a quantity (150 bills) and a time period (this month), so the result can be checked clearly against the target.

Objectives clarify the results the organisation is working toward. This helps it direct attention and effort toward the most important priorities.

Departmental objectives guide the work of each department. They should support the organisation’s main objective so that departments work toward compatible results.

Option B is a weak objective because the terms “soon” and “perform well” are vague. It states neither a clear deadline nor a measurable standard of performance. In contrast, options A and C specify the task, quantity, and time limit, while option D clearly states the reduction and period. Exam tip: A good objective is usually specific, measurable, and time-bound.

Planning involves deciding how to achieve desired results. Clearly defined objectives specify those results and therefore provide a basis for planning.

The direct answer is C, Objective. An objective is a desired result that the organisation wants to achieve. Improving the customer satisfaction score next year states a desired improvement and also gives a time period. Therefore it is a planned objective, even though the exact numerical score is not supplied. Option C is correct. Option A, Method, would explain how employees should perform a particular task, such as how to handle complaints. Option B, Budget, would show expected income, expenditure or allocation of money; the statement does not give financial figures. Option D, Rule, would state a compulsory instruction, such as always replying to a complaint within two days. The statement says what result is wanted, not the method, money plan or compulsory procedure. Exam cue: a desired improvement or result is an objective; the actions used to achieve it are methods or strategies.

Objectives clarify what the organisation is trying to achieve. This helps direct resources toward those results instead of using them without a clear focus.

The correct answer is A. Simple, clearly stated objectives help employees understand the results they are expected to achieve.

The correct answer is A. Increasing the profitability of the whole business is a broad goal for the organisation, unlike the other options, which are isolated tasks.

The correct answer is A. Comparing actual performance with the objectives shows whether the intended results have been achieved and provides a basis for assessing success.

The correct answer is A. Resolving complaints promptly is part of serving customers, so reducing complaint-resolution time is a customer-service objective.

The correct answer is A. When an organisation has several objectives, management needs to consider their relative importance, set priorities and balance competing demands.

An objective is the result or goal that an organisation wants to achieve. Therefore, ‘goal’ most clearly identifies an objective. A method explains how work will be done, while a policy provides general guidance for decision-making. Exam tip: In planning questions, link ‘what is to be achieved’ with objectives.

The correct answer is A. An achievable objective is realistic, so employees can direct their efforts towards a result that can reasonably be attained.

The correct answer is A. An objective describes what the organisation wants to achieve, while a budget presents expected results in numerical terms, such as quantities or amounts.

The correct answer is A. Objectives clarify the results employees are working towards. Without them, employees may not know what they are expected to achieve.

The correct answer is A. Producing more units with the same resources in the same time means greater output relative to inputs, which indicates improved productivity.

The direct answer is A: further plans get direction and a basis. Planning must begin with a desired result; otherwise managers cannot decide which activities deserve time, money and people. Step by step, the objective tells the organisation where it wants to go, departments convert it into smaller targets, and detailed programmes, schedules and budgets are then prepared. Option A is correct because objectives guide later choices and provide a standard for preparing plans. Option B is wrong because clear objectives normally reduce confusion and delay rather than create them. Option C is wrong because setting an objective does not remove the need for rules; rules may still guide behaviour. Option D is wrong because objectives do not automatically cause a shortage of resources; resource allocation is done to support the plan. Memory cue: first destination, then route, then resources—the destination is the objective.

The first option sets a clear service-performance target: increasing the share of complaints answered within two days. The other options describe security or administrative tasks, not a customer service objective.

Objectives state the results to be achieved and provide standards for checking actual performance. This comparison is part of controlling.

Reducing late orders is a result the company wants to achieve within a stated time period, so it is an objective. A rule, method or policy serves a different planning purpose.

Correct answer: A, the main plan of the organisation. An objective is a clearly stated result that an organisation wants to achieve. Objectives should not be made separately or randomly; they must support the organisation’s overall direction and main plan. This alignment helps departments work towards the same purpose, prevents waste of effort and makes performance easier to judge. A rumour is unverified information and cannot provide a sound basis for planning. An unrelated matter has no useful connection with the organisation’s work, so linking objectives to it would create confusion. Breaking rules is neither a planning basis nor a proper organisational aim. Thus, the objective of a department should flow from and contribute to the main organisational plan. Memory cue: connected objectives create coordinated action; disconnected objectives create conflict and waste.

An objective specifies a desired result, while a policy provides broad guidance for making decisions. Therefore, option A gives the correct distinction.