Types of plans

Correct answer: B. Single-use plan

The plan is made for one specific rally and is not intended for repeated use. A plan prepared for a particular, non-recurring purpose is a single-use plan.

Correct answer: C. Entry into the hazardous-material storage room without permission is prohibited

A rule gives a specific and compulsory direction about what must or must not be done. Prohibiting entry without permission into a hazardous-material storage room is a definite restriction, so it is a rule. The other options provide broad guidance about purchasing, employee welfare, and customer service; therefore, they are policies. Exam tip: words such as “prohibited”, “mandatory”, and “must not” usually indicate a rule.

Correct answer: B. Objective

The direct answer is B, Objective. An objective is a clear result that an organisation wants to achieve. Here, the company wants to reduce energy cost by 11 percent within the next nine months. The percentage gives a measurable amount, and the nine-month period gives a time limit. Therefore, this is a specific and measurable objective. Option A, Budget, is a numerical statement of expected income and expenditure, not simply a target for reducing one cost. Option B is correct because it states exactly what improvement is required and by when. Option C, Procedure, is a sequence of steps or instructions used to perform work; no steps are given here. Option D, Policy, is a general guideline for decision-making, not a quantified result. Remember: a result expressed with a number and time is usually an objective.

Correct answer: A. Because it leaves no discretion

The correct answer is option A: because it leaves no discretion. A rule is a definite instruction that must be followed in the stated situation. The word compulsory is important here: whenever a food complaint occurs, sample testing must be done. Staff cannot choose whether to test or skip the test, so the instruction is a rule rather than a policy. Option A is correct because absence of discretion is the key feature. Option B, market analysis, means studying customers, competitors or market conditions; the statement does none of these. Option C, expense estimate, would show expected costs in numbers and is a budget-related idea, but no cost estimate appears. Option D, a large set of activities, describes something closer to a programme, not one compulsory response to a condition. A policy may guide decisions, but a rule fixes the action. Exam cue: “must,” “compulsory,” “prohibited” and “no choice” strongly suggest rule.

Correct answer: B. Method

The correct answer is Method. A method specifies the prescribed way of performing a task; here, the marking technique states how candidates will be rated. A policy provides broad guidance for decisions, such as selection criteria, but does not state the specific procedure for assigning marks. Exam tip: When the question asks how a task will be done, look for method.

Correct answer: B. It is a numerical statement of expected results, which may be expressed in money, physical units, or time

A budget is a numerical statement of expected results. It can be prepared in terms of money, units of production, sales quantity, or time; therefore, option B is correct. Option D describes the nature of a rule, whereas a budget is the numerical expression of a plan. Exam tip: Link the phrase “numerical statement of expected results” with a budget.

Correct answer: A. Programme

The correct answer is Programme. A programme coordinates related activities for a specific purpose; it may also specify their timing, responsibilities, and resources.

Correct answer: C. Regular supplier evaluation policy

The direct answer is C, a regular supplier evaluation policy. A standing plan is prepared for repeated and continuing use. A policy is a standing plan because it gives general guidance for decisions that arise again and again. A regular policy for evaluating suppliers can be applied during every review cycle and to different suppliers, so it is the best example here. Option A, a one-time branch opening, is a single-use plan because that particular opening normally happens once. Option B, a special business travel budget, is linked to a particular financial plan or occasion and is not necessarily a continuing general guideline. Option C is correct because a regular supplier evaluation policy guides recurring decisions and remains useful over time. Option D, a temporary awareness rally, is a special event and therefore a single-use or temporary plan. The key distinction is repetition: standing plans are reused, whereas single-use plans are made for one special purpose. Do not confuse ‘regular’ with merely frequent activity; here the word policy also strongly signals a standing plan.

Correct answer: A. Policy

The correct answer is Policy. A policy provides general guidance for decisions while allowing some discretion; unlike a rule, it does not prescribe an inflexible action for every case.

Correct answer: C. Strategy

The correct answer is Strategy. It sets a broad, long-term approach for positioning the product and competing for the chosen customers; selecting suitable media supports that approach.

Correct answer: A. General guidance for decisions; sequence of steps; technique for doing work

The correct answer is A. A policy gives general decision guidance, a procedure sets out the sequence of steps, and a method specifies the technique for carrying out a task.

Correct answer: B. Procedure

A procedure specifies the prescribed sequence of steps for carrying out a task. Here, identity verification, secret-code matching and receipt generation are arranged in order, so this is a procedure. A method refers more narrowly to a particular way of performing a task, whereas the question gives the complete step-by-step sequence. Exam tip: words such as ‘first’, ‘then’ and ‘after that’ usually indicate a procedure.

Correct answer: C. Strategy

The correct answer is Strategy. A strategy takes account of the organisation’s situation and its environment to guide how it will pursue long-term competitive advantage.

Correct answer: D. It may combine many activities with timing, responsibilities, and a budget

The correct answer is D. A programme brings together related activities for a purpose and may specify their timing, responsibilities, and required resources, including a budget.

Correct answer: A. Policy and Rule

The correct answer is Policy and Rule. The general preference for settlement guides decisions but allows judgment, so it is a policy. The absolute ban on forged documents prescribes a mandatory action, so it is a rule.

Correct answer: A. Objective

The correct answer is Objective. It states a specific, measurable result for the next financial year: reducing resolution time by 36 hours, from 72 to 36 hours.

Correct answer: C. Policy

The correct answer is Policy. These are general criteria that guide supplier-selection decisions rather than a fixed sequence of steps or a single strict command.

Correct answer: A. Procedure

The steps are carried out in a specified sequence, so this is a procedure. A procedure lays down the chronological order of steps for completing an activity.

Correct answer: C. Method

The direct answer is C, Method. A method is the specific or precise way of performing one task. The designer uses grid spacing and proportion checking to align a logo; these are technical steps or techniques explaining exactly how the task will be done. Option A, Programme, would coordinate several activities, resources, time and responsibilities for a larger plan; the example concerns one technique. Option B, Rule, would be a compulsory instruction such as ‘never approve an unaligned logo’; it would not explain the technical way of aligning it. Option C is correct because it gives the exact way of carrying out the design task. Option D, Policy, would be a broad guideline for repeated decisions, such as maintaining a consistent brand image; it would not normally describe grid measurements and checking technique. The useful distinction is that a method is narrow and task-specific, while a strategy or policy is broader. Exam cue: whenever the wording says ‘exact way’, ‘technique’ or ‘how to perform one task’, choose method if available.

Correct answer: B. Single-use plan

The arrangements are made for a specific, non-recurring event. A single-use plan is designed for a particular activity and is not meant to be reused regularly.

Correct answer: B. Rule

This is a rule because it clearly prohibits a specific action and leaves no choice about whether to follow it.