Planning process

Comparison on traffic cost and control is evaluation. In exams treat basis based comparison as evaluation.

In selection one option or a combination of options may be chosen. In exams treat combined final choice as selection.

Demand may rise is a future assumption not an objective. In exams treat may and possibility as premise clues.

Premises give a base of future conditions. In exams remember assumptions are made after objectives.

Resource availability is part of feasibility and is checked in evaluation. In exams treat feasibility check as evaluation.

Information from follow up improves premises of the next plan. In exams connect feedback loop with follow up.

When a premise changes evaluation and selection may be reviewed. In exams treat changing premise as a review trigger.

Implementation needs clear timing and coordination among departments. In exams treat missing schedule as an implementation gap.

A vague objective makes comparison of alternatives difficult. In exams connect vague objective with evaluation difficulty.

Resource arrangement is an essential part of implementation. In exams treat no contract leading to stopped work as an implementation gap.

Follow up is not only reporting but also corrective action. In exams treat review plus action as complete follow up.

Premises tell under which conditions options will work. In exams remember assumptions guide alternatives.

Cost speed and objective fit are evaluation criteria. In exams treat criteria based thinking as evaluation.

Without alternatives selection becomes limited and weak. In exams treat no alternatives as poor planning.

When an external premise changes the old selection may weaken. In exams connect changed tax policy with premise review.

The governing concept is the sequence and continuity of the planning process. A sound process begins with setting objectives, because the desired result gives direction. The manager then develops premises or assumptions about the future, identifies possible alternatives, evaluates them against the objective, selects the most suitable course, implements it and follows up to correct deviations. Option A contains this complete flow in the proper broad order. Option B reverses the logic by beginning without a target; option C mistakes one financial plan for the entire process; and option D omits identification and evaluation of alternatives. Follow-up is important because planning is not finished merely when implementation begins.

An unrealistic objective can weaken the whole planning. In exams treat first step weakness as root problem.

Fall in demand is a premise and outsourcing overtime are alternatives. In exams treat assumption leading to options as these two steps.

Customer satisfaction is an essential criterion for customer loyalty objective. In exams remember evaluation should match objective.

Rules and procedures make implementation clear. In exams treat missing procedures as implementation difficulty.

Follow up gives feedback for the next plan. In exams connect future planning input with follow up.

In hard evaluation not only short term profit but reputation may also be considered. In exams treat broader impact as evaluation criterion.

Without a responsible person implementation remains weak. In exams treat no responsibility assigned as implementation gap.

Testing feasibility and return is evaluation. In exams write testing alternatives against criteria as evaluation.

Planning process follows a sequence but feedback also improves it. In exams treat sequence plus feedback as mature understanding.