User talk:EleanorAsis

A Never Ending Function: Planning

By: Eleanor Montemayor Asis, MBA Student, Camarines Norte State College - Philippines

The management functions begins in planning. It involves goal setting, collecting ideas, developing strategies to be used, outlining the tasks and scheduling the accomplishment of the company. Planning is an integral phase of management function, without planning the management will not be able to  foresee the result of the company’s desire to attain.

In planning, the management are able to make sound decision by providing essential information needed. It ensures the efficient use of the resources to avoid wastage and to maximize productivity.

A key aspect in planning is goal setting, it challenge everyone to strive for a better performance. Goal must be realistic and persistent. Establishing goal is a wake-up call for the manager that are complacent.

Risk management is essential in company’s success. In the uncontrollable economic and competition in the business world, the manager should always be ready to deal with the unforeseen events that will harm the company. In the event of fast changing condition in business, the management should make a necessary adjustment to cope with it. The company should develop a contingency plan in the event that there is a risk.

Planning promotes team building and spirit of cooperation in the organization. When the plan is complete it should be communicated to responsible person of the organization to be informed of their responsibilities. Possible conflicts can be lessen if the management solicits involvement during the goal setting.

There are some barriers to effective planning.

1.	Lack of leadership. The leader should develop a strategy and communicate the vision in a logic way to the entire organization to understand the company’s goal. After communicating the goal, the management should motivate the team to join the program for the vision and implementation of the strategic plan. Constant motivations, evaluations of the strategic implementation should be done. If there is no motivation, the strategies useless and the worker will return to their habitual ways of doing things.

2.	Distractions. Perfect timing of the implementation of new strategy and process to avoid confusion of priorities and to understand the new strategic plan of the company.

3.	Lack of System. Ensuring that the system to be used is in place to avoid the delay of the process or transaction.

4.	Limited Manpower. Make it sure of the right person to execute new strategies effectively

5.	Inadequate Funding. Lack of capital has a great impact in implementing the plans even though it has a good planning.

6.	Impractical Planning. Manager should be flexible to see what is usable or not usable in the strategy and be able to make necessary adjustment. Sometimes, some ideas seems to be good but it turns out that it is not really good and will might bring negative effect to the company.

Planning is indispensable and basis for all other managerial functions. As Knootz and O’Donnell have rightly pointed out, “without planning business becomes random in nature, and decisions become meaningless, ad hoc choices.”

Without planning, an enterprise would soon disintegrate, its actions would be as random as leaves scampering before an autumn wind, and its employees as confused as ants in an upturned anthill.

In challenging world of business, the manager should be skilled and ready for the risk that the company might endure. To ensure the company’s progress, continuous planning and implementation should be carefully done.