Chapter Summary by Learning Outcome

  1. 5-1 Discuss the nature and purposes of planning.

As the primary management function, planning establishes the basis for all the other things that managers do. The planning we’re concerned with is formal planning; that is, specific goals covering a specific time period are defined and written down and specific plans are developed to make sure those goals are met. There are four reasons managers should plan: (1) it establishes coordinated efforts, (2) it reduces uncertainty, (3) it reduces overlapping and wasteful activities, and (4) it establishes the goals or standards that are used in controlling work. Although criticisms have been directed at planning, the evidence generally supports the position that ...

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