Role of Planning
Planning as a process involves the determination of the future course of action ie, why an action, what action, how to take action and when to take action. These why, when, how and what are related with different aspects of the planning process. It is considered as a specific course of action believed necessary to achieve specific results.
George R Terry defines planning as, " the selection and rating of facts and making and using of assumptions regarding the future in the visualisation and formalisation of proposed activities believed necessary to achieve desired result."
Dalton E Macfarland defines planning as, "it may be broadly defined as a concept of executive action that embodies the skills of anticipating, influencing and controlling the nature and direction of change."
Planning is a process rather than a behaviour at a given point of time. It is primarily concerned with looking into the future. It involves a selection of a suitable course of action and is undertaken at all levels of management. It is flexible as it is based on future conditions which are dynamic. Planning is pervasive and continuous managerial function.
Planning can play a vital role in helping to avoid mistakes or recognize hidden opportunities. Preparing a satisfactory plan of the organization is essential. The planning process enables management to understand more clearly what they want to achieve, and how and when they can do it. Planning helps in forecasting the future, makes the future visible to some extent. It bridges the gap between where we are and where we want to go. Planning is looking ahead.
Planning helps in clearly defining the target, Identifying all the main issues which need to be addressed, Reviewi ...