SCHOOL: MANCOSA

SUBJECT: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 3D

QUESTION:

CASE STUDY [30 Marks]

Planning in Management: Introduction, Objectives, Steps, Types, Importance and Limitations Planning is the first managerial function to be performed in the process of management. It is concerned with deciding in advance what is to be done, when, where, how and by whom it is to be done. Thus, it is a pre-determined course of action to achieve a specified aim or goal. Further, planning is the primary function of management. As a process it involves the conscious determination of future course of action in order to achieve the desired results. Future is important in business. Though it cannot be predicted in exact term, yet it can be guessed to certain extent. Instead of leaving them to chance, future events are made to happen in a certain recognised manner through planning. Planning determines the time of action to achieve the pre-determined organisational goals. It is a deliberate and conscious research used to formulate the design and sequence of actions through which it is expected to help to reach its objectives. It is a process of thinking before doing. It determines objectives and steps necessary to achieve them. According to George R. Terry, Without the activities determined by planning there would be nothing to organise, no one to activate and no need to control.

Planning involves choosing of one of the various alternatives available for accomplishing the desired result with the greatest economy and certainty through the process of looking ahead. It sketches a complete picture of things to happen in future in the enterprise. The proposed course of action is charted out in greater details with the help of complex chain of plans like policies, procedures, programmes and budgets focused on objectives of the enterprise. Available from https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/management/management-functions/planning-function-ofmanagement/ 99759 [Accessed on 06/09/2021]

Answer ALL the questions in this section.

Question 1 (30 Marks)

Critically discuss the importance of planning in the public sector in an attempt to improve service delivery. Highlight the planning hierarchy and the advantages of planning.