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Planning is very crucial in achieving of the organizational goals. It lays the chart for the groundwork of all the other functions involved in the company (Samson & Daft, 2012). The plan will specify what is to be done, by who, when and where it shall be done. Every organization from the smallest to the largest ones must do planning; otherwise, the business is most likely to fail.
The process of planning starts with the company analyzing its current operations and determining the procedures that need improvement and those that need to be changed entirely, claims Faludi (2013). When this data is available, the company moves on to set objectives and goals that should be met in a specific period. It is through planning that the firm will determine how it wants things done to achieve the goals they have set. This paper seeks to discuss the benefits of planning towards an organization achieving its goals and objectives.
Importance of Planning in Achieving Goals
Planning starts by helping formulate practical goals that are aggressive but realistic. Such goals challenge the employees and keep them working hard to achieve them. Setting and achieving goals is what keeps businesses ahead of their competitors; therefore, planning will give a wake-up call to a complacent manager. Planning involves looking to the future and try to forecast the result that will be achieved and comparing them with the current statistics. Therefore, through the analysis of the two, the variance found helps in adjusting the goals and objectives which will be more achievable (Samson & Daft, 2012).
To achieve the goals of an organization, there must be a healthy relationship between the employees. Proper planning requires the company to involve the employees or their representative in the formulation of the goals. When this is done, it promotes team building because the employees will have a sense of responsibility to work towards achieving the set objective since they were part of its formulation. According to Samson & Daft (2012), the team spirit is strengthened by the employees in different departments understanding that the successes of the other sections are dependent on their work. Hence, they take pride in their contribution to the success of the company.
Every organization is interested in the efficient distribution of its resources. In fact, all types of business are characterized by limited resources when compared to their scope of operation. Planning, therefore, enables an organization to efficiently allocate its resources to the tasks that will help it achieve its goals. Thus, the planning process assists the firm to avoid wasting its resources on projects that have little contribution to the objectives in place. Subsequently, the productivity of the business is boosted when adequate resources are utilized in the right processes.
The business environment is often faced with rapid changes that may affect it severely. Planning helps envision possible scenarios that may occur in the future hence allowing the company to formulate contingency plans in case they do happen (Faludi, 2013). When such occurrence manifest, without a proper adjustment plan, the organization may fail to achieve its goals. Therefore, to ensure continuous productivity, planning for such situations becomes beneficial.
Types of Planning
Strategic Planning
The top management is responsible for designing the strategic plan. It is usually in line with the mission of the organization and will have a wholesome approach to the company (Bryson, 2011). It is focused on the long-term goals of the business. Simply put, strategic planning is designed to move the company from the current status to much higher level. The time frame for this plan is usually three or more years. The objectives of such planning are to increase the overall growth of the organization with respect to profitability, improved customer service, higher investment returns, productivity and giving back to the community.
Strategic planning requires the participation of all the departments. Therefore, as noted by Faludi (2013), this means that every level in the company has a significant role in the realization of the strategic objectives and goals set. Furthermore, it requires the department managers formulating compatible plans that will guide their employees towards actualizing the strategic plans. Therefore, such planning is useful when a company is seeking to achieve specific goals and objectives that are long term.
Operational Planning
The low-level managers are responsible designing this plan. It is primarily custom with respect to the department and its functions. The manager in charge comes up with objectives and goals that the respective employees are expected to accomplish notes Bryson (2011).
The time frame for operational planning is usually short and the goals realizable. The managers use this plans to help them fulfill their job responsibilities. They formulate them to support the tactical plans. These plans may be on-going or single-use plan.
On-going operational plans – these plans are made to be used for a long time and repeatedly. As time passes, they may undergo changes, revisions, and updates where appropriate. However, they still retain the value for which they were designed. They are usually a policy, procedure or rule.
Single-use operational plans – these plans are applied to activities that are not repetitive. They are only used ones and discarded. Examples are formulating the monthly budget and a unique sales program.
- Bryson, J. M. (2011). Strategic planning for public and nonprofit organizations: A guide to strengthening and sustaining organizational achievement (Vol. 1). John Wiley & Sons.
- Faludi, A. (2013). A reader in planning theory (Vol. 5). Elsevier.
- Samson, D., & Daft, R. L. (2012). Fundamentals of management. Cengage Learning Australia.