All organizations whether it is the government, a private business or small businessman require planning. To turn their dreams of increase in sale, earning high profit and getting success in business all businessmen have to think about future make predictions and achieve target. To decide what to do, how to do & when to do they do planning. Meaning: Planning can be defined as "thinking in advance what is to be done, when it is to be done, how it is to be done and by whom it should be done". In simple words we can say, planning bridges the gap between where we are standing today and where we want to reach. Planning involves setting objectives and deciding in advance the appropriate course of action to achieve these objectives so we can also define planning as setting up of objectives and targets and formulating an action plan to achieve them. Another important ingredient of planning is time. Plans are always developed for a fixed time period as no business can go on planning endlessly. Keeping in mind the time dimension we can define planning as "Setting objectives for a given time period, formulating various courses of action to achieve them and then selecting the best possible alternative from the different courses of actions".

Features/Nature/Characteristic of Planning:

1. Planning contributes to Objectives: Planning starts with the determination of objectives. We cannot think of planning in absence of objective. After setting up of the objectives, planning decides the methods, procedures and steps to be taken for achievement of set objectives. Planners also help and bring changes in the plan if things are not moving in the direction of objectives. For example, if an organisation has the objective of manufacturing 1500 washing machines and in one month only 80 washing machines are manufactured, then changes are made in the plan to achieve the final objective.

2. Planning is Primary function of management: Planning is the primary or first function to be performed by every manager. No other function can be executed by the manager without performing planning function because objectives are set up in planning and other functions depend on the objectives only.

3. Pervasive: Planning is required at all levels of the management. It is not a function restricted to top level managers only but planning is done by managers at every level. Formation of major plan and framing of overall policies is the task of top level managers whereas departmental managers form plan for their respective departments. And lower level managers make plans to support the overall objectives and to carry on day to day activities.

4. Planning is futuristic/Forward looking: Planning always means looking ahead or planning is a futuristic function. Planning is never done for the past. All the managers try to make predictions and assumptions for future and these predictions are made on the basis of past experiences of the manager and with the regular and intelligent scanning of the general environment.

Source: https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/organization/importance-of-planning-its-features-limitations-processandtypes/8652

QUESTION 1 

In the narrative it is argued that planning always means looking ahead or that planning is a futuristic function. Planning is never done for the past. All the managers try to make predictions and assumptions for future and these predictions are made on the basis of managers previous experience with the regular and intelligent scanning of the general environment. Critically discuss the importance of planning in the public sector to improve service

QUESTION 2 

As alluded to in the narrative planning will be founded on a number of decisions taken. Decision-making is of paramount importance in public administration, and it requires a certain skill set. Assess the decision-making techniques that can be applied in the public sector.

 

QUESTION 3 

 

As alluded to in the narrative, setting objectives for a given time period, formulating various courses of action to achieve them and then selecting the best possible alternative from the different courses of actions will require planning and negotiating skills. Negotiation can be regarded as a specialised field of communication and requires more skills by public managers with colleagues or subordinates. There is a need to negotiate with other stakeholders on the best interventions to respond to societal needs. Elaborate on the importance and role of negotiations in the public sector and analyse the key basic approaches to negotiation.

QUESTION 4 

The nature of relations in an institution can influence the institutional objectives. These principles are based mainly on happy employees, who are more productive. When workers are kept informed, their social needs are satisfied and motivation is increased. To achieve this, interpersonal and labour relations are of the utmost importance. By making use of examples to illustrate understanding, elaborate on the role of Public managers, Trade Unions and Employee Associations in sound labour relations.