Planning is the first of the four functions of management. “Planning is specifying the goals to be achieved and deciding in advance the appropriate actions needed to achieve those goals” (Bateman, T., Snell, S. 2007, chapter 1). There are three types of planning that organization’s use-strategic, tactical and operational.
Strategic planning involves making decisions about the organization's long-term goals and strategies. Tactical planning translates broad strategic goals and plans into specific goals and plans that are relevant to a definite portion of the organization, often a functional area like marketing or human resources. Operational planning identifies the specific procedures and processes required at lower levels of the organization (Bateman, T., Snell, S. 2007, chapter 4).
These three aspects of planning need to be aligned with each other in order for them to be successful. Certain factors also need to be taken into consideration when implementing the different types of planning in order for them to be effective and accomplish the desired goals. With planning, decisions are made about what types of activities a company will take part in and what types of resources are needed to achieve its goals. Planning not only includes evaluating a company’s current state of affairs but also includes assessing what the future will look like.
Halliburton is an oil company that “provides and integrates products and services that add value through the entire lifecycle of oil and gas reservoirs.” (Halliburton, 2008) Halliburton also provides construction and military support services along with its oilfield technologies and services. In my opinion, all facets of planning at the organization, Halliburton, have been extremely successful. This is apparent through ...