A distinction between forecasting and planning
Planning is the determination of what is to be done, and of how, when, where. and by whom it is to be done. Plans save to direct the activated that all organizational members must undertake to move the organization from where it is to where it wants to be. Forecasting is the basis of planning because it projects the future. A variety of quantitative methods are used in forecasting
Strategy is a broad term that usually means the selection of overall objectives. Strategic analysis ordinarily excludes the
Strategic analysis is the process of long-range planning. It includes identifying organizational objectives, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the organization, such as market trends, changes the technology, international competition, and social change. The final step is to derive the best strategy for reaching the objectives. Setting the target product mix and production schedule for the current year is not a concern of strategic analysis because it is short-term activity.
Strategic planning, as practiced by most modem organizations, includes all of the following expect
Strategic planning is the process of setting overall organizational objectives and goals. It is a long-term process aimed at charting the future course of the organization. Strategic planning is based on assessing risk levels, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the organization, and forecasting the future direction an influences of factors relevant to the organization such as market trends, changes in technology, international competition, and social change. Analysis of the current month's budget variances is not an aspect of strategic planning.
Which one of the following reasons is not a significant reason for planning in an organization?
Monitoring profitable operations is not a significant reason for planning. Monitoring is a control function, whereas planning has a control purpose that precedes control in the planning-control cycle. Planning establishes standards against which is the control function compares preliminary or final results.
Certain phases of the planning process should be formalized for all of the following reasons expect that
A formal plan is a prescription for organizational behavior and a set of goals. Management decision making is therefore necessarily constrained by the limitations established I the plan.
