THE NATURE, LEVELS AND TYPES OF PLANNING

The Nature, Levels and Types …
DEFINITION PLANNING

Planning is the central function of management. When you set a goal, there should be
a careful planning by determining your objectives and necessary steps to achieve that said
goal. Companies formulate their plans because these affect other managerial functions such
as organizing, staffing, leading and controlling. When planning is successful, the rest of the
managerial functions follow.

Below are some of the definitions of planning given by some prominent authors.
Contributor Definition
Peter Drucker (1973) Planning is a managerial function that includes decisions and
actions to ensure future results.
William H. Planning is the process of deciding in advance what is to be
Newman (1950) done. It is thinking ahead of time or thinking before doing.
Koontz and Planning is deciding in advance what to do, how to do it, when
O’Donnell to do it, and who is to do it. Planning bridges the gap from
(1972) where we are to where we want to go.”
J.P Barger (2013) Planning is an ability to visualize a future process and its results.
Henri Fayol (1916) Planning is deciding the best alternative to perform different
managerial operations in achieving predetermined goals.

NATURE OF PLANNING

Planning is not an easy task; it involves intellectual thinking and mental activity to be
able to plan effectively. The nature of planning can be highlighted as follows:

1. Planning is goal oriented. Planning contributes in a positive way toward the

accomplishment of objectives. The planning function has no meaning without being
related to goals or objectives.

2. Planning is a primary managerial function. Planning is the first of the managerial

functions and precedes other functions.

3. Planning is pervasive. Planning is found at all levels, be it in top management,

middle level and frontline level management.

4. Planning is futuristic. Planning means looking ahead.

5. Planning is flexible. Planning is capable of adjustment by the need and requirement
of the situation.

6. Planning involves coordination. The planning process considers all available

resources on drafting a set of action steps to achieve a goal.

7. Planning is a process. Planning involves logical, systematic and sequential series of

steps.

When planning process is done well, it creates a solid foundation and direction for
the other managerial plans. With this, let’s have these reasons
why planning is considered important.