Objectives

Correct answer: A. When new facts make the old goal impractical

Goals provide direction, but they should be reviewed when reliable evidence shows that market conditions, resources, assumptions, or timing have changed enough to make the old goal impractical. Revising such a goal is adaptive planning, not surrender. One bad day, a joke, or an unexplained mood is insufficient evidence for a major business change. Therefore, A is correct.

Correct answer: C. It is the prior selection of a course of action from alternatives for a future objective

The analytical meaning of planning includes several connected elements rather than a vague wish. An organisation first identifies a future objective, studies the available situation and resources, considers alternative courses of action, and selects the most suitable one in advance. The selected plan then guides implementation and coordination. Option C is the most complete statement because it includes the future objective, alternatives, choice, and prior decision. Option A reduces planning to an unsupported dream; B describes a post-action report; and D treats planning as merely an order to employees. Hence C gives the broadest and most precise meaning.

Correct answer: A. It will not be clear which objective the decision serves

The governing concept is that planning involves both choosing among alternatives and linking that choice to an objective. A decision has managerial value only when its intended result is known and the selected action can be judged against that result. If objective focus is ignored, the organisation may make a logical-looking choice without knowing what it is supposed to achieve, how success will be measured or whether resources are being used appropriately. Thus option A is correct. Options B and C are unreasonable: decisions do not automatically become good, and objectives remain essential. Option D concerns sequence, not objective alignment.

Correct answer: A. Being measurable and time-bound

The target is measurable because the defect rate is stated as a percentage, and time-bound because it must be achieved within six months.

Correct answer: B. It is not sufficiently measurable and time-bound

Without a measurable standard, the department cannot clearly assess how much brand awareness has increased; without a time frame, it is also unclear when the target should be achieved.

Correct answer: C. Possible conflict between objectives

Using more material to improve quality may raise costs, which can work against the finance department's cost-reduction target. This shows a possible conflict between departmental objectives; they need to be coordinated.

Correct answer: D. A measurable service standard and a deadline for achieving the target

“Better service” is not specific enough to assess on its own. A measurable service standard shows what improvement means, and a deadline states when it should be achieved.

Correct answer: A. The departmental target should be linked to the main organisational objective

The training target should support the company's broader objective—for example, by helping employees develop skills that can improve productivity and contribute to profitability. Departmental objectives should be aligned with organisational objectives.

Correct answer: B. It provides a basis for comparing actual sales with the target

The objective sets the target against which actual sales can be compared. The difference between the target and actual sales is a deviation that managers can investigate and address.

Correct answer: C. Objectives should be realistic and achievable

A sound objective should stretch the organisation while remaining attainable with its capacity and resources. A target that is impossible to achieve is not a realistic objective.

Correct answer: D. Raise the customer satisfaction score from 75 to 85 out of 100 by next year

Option D specifies a measurable score, its starting and target values, and a deadline. The other options express general intentions without a clear measure of success.

Correct answer: A. Multiplicity of objectives

The organisation is pursuing several different aims—profit, social service, and employee development. This illustrates the multiplicity of objectives: organisations generally have more than one objective.

Correct answer: B. An objective states the result to be achieved, while a policy guides decision-making

An objective states what the organisation aims to achieve. A policy provides general guidance for making decisions and taking action toward that objective.

Correct answer: A. Coordination between departments and implementation of the target may be weak

Departments need to understand the target to coordinate their work and act toward it. If it is not communicated clearly, their efforts may be misaligned and implementation may suffer.

Correct answer: A. The organisation’s production capacity and available resources

A sales-growth target should be considered in light of the organisation’s ability to produce and the resources available. If capacity is fixed, ignoring it may make the target impractical unless capacity or other supply arrangements change.

Correct answer: C. Entry without safety pass is prohibited

The direct answer is C, entry without a safety pass is prohibited. An objective states a desired result, usually with a measurable amount or time, such as increasing sales by 15 percent or reducing costs by 10 percent. A rule, in contrast, tells people what is compulsory or forbidden. Option C uses “prohibited,” so it gives a firm instruction about permitted entry rather than a result to be achieved. Option A is an objective because it gives a 15 percent sales target and a four-month period. Option B is also an objective because it gives an increase of 500 customers and a deadline. Option C is correct because it controls behaviour through a prohibition. Option D is an objective because it gives a 10 percent cost-reduction target for the quarter. The key exam distinction is: target equals objective; must or must not equals rule.

Correct answer: A. When it is set impossibly beyond the organisation’s capacity

A number can make a target measurable, but measurability alone does not make it a good objective. It must also be realistic and achievable; an impossible target fails this requirement.

Correct answer: B. Alignment of objectives

The branches have different targets, but those targets all support the shared aim of improving customer service. This shows alignment between branch-level and broader organisational objectives.

Correct answer: A. A measurable objective for innovation

The target links revenue to new products, so it concerns innovation. The 20% share and two-year deadline also make the objective measurable and time-bound.

Correct answer: A. Management focus may get divided

The direct answer is A: management focus may get divided. An objective is a desired result that an organisation plans to achieve. Organisations may have several objectives, but they must rank them by importance. Step by step: if there are too many goals, attention is spread; if no priority exists, employees may not know what to do first; time, money and effort may be used in conflicting directions; therefore coordination and control become difficult. Option A is correct because unranked objectives can divide managerial attention and create confusion. Option B is wrong because control does not always become easy; too many unclear goals usually make control harder. Option C is wrong because resources remain limited and do not become unlimited merely because objectives increase. Option D is wrong because goals require planning, effort and monitoring; they never complete themselves automatically. Memory cue: many goals without priority mean divided attention and confusion.

Correct answer: A. Because pursuing one target can affect progress on the other

The correct answer is A. Increasing output without considering safety could raise accident risks, while safety measures can also affect how work is carried out. Balancing both helps the factory pursue production without neglecting employee safety.

Correct answer: A. Process fifty pending invoices within three days

The correct answer is A. It sets a specific, measurable target for a near-term work task. Building a brand image is a broader long-term aim, while the other options describe general conduct or a rule rather than a measurable operational target.

Correct answer: A. The performance standard is unclear and cannot be measured precisely

The correct answer is A. “Better” does not specify what result or standard is expected, so actual performance cannot be compared clearly with the objective. A measurable standard would make evaluation and control easier.

Correct answer: A. An objective states a desired result; a budget can express the planned resources or activities in numerical terms

The correct answer is A. An objective describes the result to be achieved. A budget can translate plans for achieving it into numerical terms, such as estimated expenditure or quantities of resources; the two are related but not the same.

Correct answer: A. The quality standard is not specified

The correct answer is A. “Good quality” is vague unless the expected standard is stated—for example, a maximum defect rate or a specified customer-rating level. Without a standard, it is difficult to judge whether the objective has been achieved.