Planning process

After objectives and premises, alternatives are identified. In exams, read step order carefully.

Resources should be arranged before implementation. In exams, treat resources as part of the action stage.

Option A gives the complete logical sequence of the planning process. Managers first establish objectives, then develop premises about relevant future conditions, identify possible alternatives, evaluate them, and select a suitable course of action. The selected plan is implemented and its results are followed up or reviewed. This sequence connects decision-making with later monitoring and correction. Option B describes only an aspect of directing, not planning. Option C wrongly removes objectives, and option D omits the essential review stage. Thus, A is the only complete and conceptually accurate description.

When customer response differs, follow-up helps make corrections. In exams, connect feedback with review and corrective action.

Direct answer: Option B, setting objectives. An objective is a clearly stated result that an organisation wants to achieve. Here, the institute has fixed a definite result—increasing new admissions—and has also given a time limit of six months. Step by step: identify the desired result, identify the measurable increase in admissions, and note the time period. These features show that a goal has been decided before alternatives are developed or actions are taken. Option A is wrong because evaluation means comparing possible plans, not deciding the goal. Option B is correct because fixing a clear, time-bound target is setting objectives. Option C is wrong because implementation means putting a selected plan into action. Option D is wrong because follow-up means reviewing performance after implementation. Remember: planning normally begins with deciding what is to be achieved; a specific target and deadline are strong clues.

The governing concept is developing planning premises. A premise is a forecast or assumption about an external or internal condition that may affect the plan. The company’s estimate that festival demand will rise is a forecast about future market demand, and it can guide production, inventory, staffing and promotion decisions. Therefore option D is correct. Identifying alternatives means listing different possible actions, such as increasing stock or extending operating hours. Selecting the best alternative means choosing one action after evaluation. Implementing the plan means carrying out that decision. Since the statement only describes an expectation about future demand, it belongs to the premises stage rather than to selection or execution.

The direct answer is A, identifying alternative courses of action. Once the objective is to increase sales, the company can think of several possible methods. Free delivery, loyalty cards and online advertising are different routes toward the same objective. At this stage the company is generating or listing choices; it has not yet proved which choice is best or started carrying it out. Option A is correct because identifying alternatives means finding different possible courses of action. Option B is wrong because objectives are not removed; increasing sales remains the objective. Option C is wrong because follow-up checks progress after implementation. Option D is wrong because the plan is not being closed. Do not confuse identification with evaluation: identification asks “What choices are possible?”, while evaluation asks “Which choice is most suitable?”

The governing concept is evaluation of alternatives in the planning process. The three marketing plans are possible courses of action, and comparing their cost, expected benefit and required time applies explicit criteria to determine their relative suitability. Consequently, option C is correct. Implementing a plan means carrying out the selected marketing plan after the decision has been made. Setting objectives means defining the desired marketing result, such as a sales target or market-share goal. Developing premises means forecasting conditions such as customer demand, competition or prices. The action described here is neither execution nor forecasting; it is a structured comparison of alternatives before final selection.

The final decision after evaluation is selection. In exams, write the adopted plan as selected alternative.

Arranging resources is preparation for implementation. In exams, connect resources with implementation.

Target and actual results are compared in follow-up. In exams, identify follow-up when a gap is shown.

After setting objectives, planners develop premises—assumptions about future conditions such as market trends, demand, and resource availability. These premises provide the basis for identifying and evaluating alternative courses of action. Therefore, evaluating alternatives is a later step. Exam tip: remember the sequence: objectives, premises, identification of alternatives, evaluation of alternatives.

Measurable and time-bound objectives make planning clear. In exams, take percentage or deadline as a clue.

The future tax rate is an external condition that affects a budget. Estimating such future conditions is called developing premises in the planning process. Without this estimate, projections of income, cost and profit may be unreliable. Evaluating alternatives is a later step that compares available choices; it does not establish future assumptions. Exam tip: Forecasts about future economic, government or market conditions usually refer to premises.

Home delivery and new menu are different alternatives. In exams, write searching options as alternatives stage.

The managers are comparing alternatives—introducing a new menu and providing home delivery—on the basis of cost and expected profit. Examining the merits, costs, benefits and feasibility of available choices is called evaluating alternatives. Developing premises involves making assumptions about future conditions, not comparing the profitability of alternatives. Exam tip: When a question focuses on comparing two or more possible courses of action, look for ‘evaluating alternatives’.

Giving action form to the selected option is implementation. In exams, connect policy and programme with the action stage.

The correct answer is D, follow-up action. In the planning process, managers do not stop after selecting and implementing a plan. They compare actual results with the planned target, identify deviations, investigate their causes, and take corrective action whenever necessary. If the target is not being achieved, finding the reason and modifying the plan are clear evidence of follow-up. Developing premises occurs earlier, when assumptions about the future are made. Searching alternatives means identifying possible courses of action, while setting objectives means deciding what is to be achieved. Therefore, the situation described belongs to the review-and-correction stage of planning.

Objectives are the starting point of planning because they state what the organisation intends to achieve. Without proper objectives, the plan lacks direction, making the selection of alternatives and allocation of resources difficult. Option B is incorrect because alternatives cannot be evaluated clearly without clear objectives. Exam tip: Link objectives with the direction and goals of a plan.

Estimation of future supply condition is a planning premise. In exams, write supply assumption as premises.

Alternatives are different ways to reach the objective. In exams, treat alternatives as courses of action.

Resources and feasibility are also checked in evaluation. In exams, treat feasibility as an important criterion.

The safer option matching the objective is selected. In exams, connect match and safety with selection.

Clear responsibility makes implementation easier. In exams, connect role clarity with implementation.

The direct answer is B, follow-up action. Planning does not end when a plan is implemented. Managers must regularly compare actual progress with the planned targets, discover delays or differences, and take corrective action when needed. A weekly progress report is clear evidence of monitoring after implementation, so it belongs to follow-up. Option B is correct. Option A is wrong because setting objectives happens at the beginning and states what is to be achieved. Option C is wrong because creating alternatives means generating possible methods before selection. Option D is wrong because developing premises means making assumptions about future conditions, not checking weekly results. Exam cue: progress reports, review, monitoring, comparison with targets and corrective action indicate follow-up.