Types of plans

Correct answer: A. Objective

Objectives state the desired results or goals of an organisation; they explain what the organisation wants to achieve. A method specifies how a task should be performed, while a rule states what is permitted or prohibited. Exam tip: choose objectives when the question asks about a goal or what is to be achieved.

Correct answer: C. Rule

Direct answer: Option C, Rule. A rule is a clear instruction that makes an action compulsory or forbidden. Here, coming to the office on time is compulsory for employees, so the statement gives no personal choice. Step by step: it identifies employees, states one required action, and fixes the expected behaviour; therefore it is a rule. Option A, Programme, is a group of activities arranged to achieve an objective, not one compulsory instruction. Option B, Strategy, is a broad plan for dealing with an important situation or competition; punctuality alone is not such a broad plan. Option C works because it directly commands required behaviour. Option D, Policy, gives general guidelines for decision-making and may allow some choice; it does not usually state one strict command. Memory cue: “must” or “must not” usually signals a rule.

Correct answer: B. Strategy

Strategy considers major goals and competitive position. In exams treat strategy as a broad long-term plan.

Correct answer: A. Procedure

The direct answer is A: procedure. A procedure is a fixed sequence of steps for performing a particular activity. In recruitment, applications may first be screened, suitable candidates may then be shortlisted, and interviews may be conducted after that. The important clue is the ordered flow of work, not merely the fact that recruitment is taking place. Option A is correct because it tells employees what step comes first and what follows. Option B, policy, is a broad guideline for decision-making, such as giving preference to internal candidates; it does not necessarily prescribe every step. Option C, objective, is the desired result, such as hiring qualified staff, not the route used to reach it. Option D, budget, is a statement of expected income and expenditure and does not describe recruitment steps. Memory cue: when the question shows “first, next, then,” think procedure.

Correct answer: C. Method

Direct answer: Option C, Method. A method tells the exact or best prescribed way of performing one particular task. Reasoning: the question asks “how” a task should be done; a plan answering “how” is a method. Option A, Objective, states the result or target to be achieved, not the steps for doing the work. Option B, Programme, combines several activities, their sequence and often their timing; it is broader than one best way. Option C is correct because it prescribes the technique or manner of doing the task. Option D, Strategy, is a broad plan made to meet major objectives, often in a competitive situation; it does not normally give the detailed technique of one small task. Exam cue: objective means “what to achieve,” while method means “how to do it.”

Correct answer: B. Programme

A programme combines many activities and resources. In exams remember programme as a package of activities.

Correct answer: B. Standing plan

Standing plans are used repeatedly in similar situations. In exams link routine work with standing plans.

Correct answer: B. Single-use plan

A single-use plan is made for a specific purpose. In exams connect one-time events with single-use plans.

Correct answer: A. Policy

This is general guidance for decisions so it is policy. In exams understand policy as a flexible guideline.

Correct answer: A. Procedure

A set of ordered steps is called a procedure. In exams identify procedure from words like first and then.

Correct answer: B. Rule

The direct answer is B: rule. A rule is a clear instruction that permits or prohibits a specific action, usually without giving a choice. “No entry without a helmet” directly prohibits entering the factory area unless the safety condition is met. Option B is correct because the statement is compulsory and specific. Option A, strategy, is a broad plan for dealing with competition or achieving a major purpose; it is not a single safety command. Option C, programme, combines several activities, resources and schedules for a project; the statement does not describe such a bundle. Option D, objective, states a desired result, such as reducing accidents, but does not itself give a direct prohibition. Safety rules are especially important because they make expected behaviour uniform and reduce risk. Exam cue: words such as “must,” “must not,” “only if,” and “no entry” usually signal a rule, provided the statement is a direct command.

Correct answer: A. Budget

A budget is a numerical estimate of income, expenditure, and resources for a specified period. The estimated spending on raw materials for the production department is a financial plan, so it is a budget. A programme states the sequence of activities, while a rule and a policy do not give a numerical estimate of expenditure. Exam tip: When a question mentions estimated income, cost, or expenditure, the answer is usually a budget.

Correct answer: C. Strategy

Strategy is related to competition and major decisions. In exams think of strategy when market competition appears.

Correct answer: B. Employee conduct policy

Policy can be applied repeatedly so it is a standing plan. In exams treat policies rules and procedures as standing plans.

Correct answer: C. New branch opening programme

A special opening programme is made for one time. In exams understand a special event as a single-use plan.

Correct answer: C. As desired results

Objectives are the desired results that an organisation aims to achieve within a specified period. Therefore, desired results is the correct option. Rules prescribe limits for action, whereas objectives state the targets to be achieved. Exam tip: ‘What is to be achieved?’ indicates an objective; ‘How should one act?’ indicates a rule.

Correct answer: B. Policy

Policy gives guidance but leaves scope for judgement. In exams identify policy when flexibility is shown.

Correct answer: A. Rule

Rule is the correct answer. A rule gives a specific instruction about what must or must not be done, leaving no scope for individual discretion or alternative action. In contrast, a policy provides broad guidelines for decision-making and allows some discretion. Exam tip: phrases such as “no discretion” or “no choice” usually indicate a rule.

Correct answer: B. Procedure gives sequence method gives technique

Procedure gives sequence of steps while method gives the technique of work. In exams keep sequence and technique separate.

Correct answer: A. Objective

The direct answer is A: objective. An objective is a specific result or performance target that an organisation or group wants to achieve. “At least 30 customers daily” gives a number and a time period, so performance can be measured: the team can compare actual contacts with 30 each day. Option A is correct because it states what level of work must be achieved. Option B, programme, is a coordinated plan containing activities, responsibilities, resources and timing; the sentence gives only a target, not a complete programme. Option C, method, explains how a task is performed, such as calling customers in a particular order; no technique is stated here. Option D, policy, is a general guideline for decisions, such as how customers should be treated, not a numerical daily target. A useful memory cue is that numbers, quantities, dates or percentages often reveal an objective, especially when they describe the result to be reached.

Correct answer: A. Programme

The direct answer is A: programme. A programme is a complete plan for a special activity. It brings together several connected parts, such as tasks, sequence, time, people, materials and money. A training camp needs a schedule, trainers, learning material and estimated cost, so it is more than one instruction or one target. Option A is correct because it coordinates all these related activities and resources. Option B, rule, is one compulsory instruction, such as wearing an identity card; it cannot by itself organise a camp. Option C, method, is the particular way of doing one task, such as demonstrating a skill; it does not normally include the whole schedule and budget. Option D, policy, is a broad guideline for repeated decisions, not a detailed event plan. Memory cue: a camp, campaign or project with time, people, materials and cost usually indicates a programme.

Correct answer: B. Because it shows expected future income or expenditure

Direct answer: Option B, because a budget shows expected future income or expenditure. A budget is a numerical plan prepared in advance. Step by step: planning looks ahead; the statement refers to the future; income or spending is expressed in amounts; therefore it is a budget and also serves as a standard for comparison later. Option A is wrong because a budget is not merely a rule; rules tell people what they must or must not do. Option B is correct because expected receipts and payments are its central content. Option C describes a method, which explains how to perform a task, not how much money is expected. Option D is wrong because every useful budget has financial targets or estimates; it does not avoid targets. Memory cue: budget means a future money plan written in figures.

Correct answer: A. Strategy

A broad direction for expansion is called strategy. In exams link expansion and environment analysis with strategy.

Correct answer: B. Procedure

It gives ordered steps of doing work so it is a procedure. In exams treat approval steps as procedure.

Correct answer: A. Policy

The instruction to use respectful language provides a broad guideline for behaviour, so it is a policy. A policy guides decisions and actions in general. A rule is more specific about what must or must not be done, whereas a procedure gives the step-by-step order for doing a task. Exam tip: identify a policy when a statement gives a general guideline or principle.