Consider the following statements on how planning reduces overlapping and wasteful activities:
(A) Planning serves as the basis of coordinating the activities and efforts of different departments and individuals.
(B) Planning helps in avoiding confusion and misunderstanding.
(C) Planning helps a manager to anticipate changes and develop managerial responses to them.
(D) Since planning ensures clarity in thought and action, work is carried on smoothly without interruptions.
(E) Planning provides the goals or standards against which actual performance is measured.
Which of the statements given above correctly explain this benefit?
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → (A), (B) and (D) only
(A) Planning serves as the basis of coordinating the activities and efforts of different departments and individuals. — Correct. When the work of departments is coordinated, no two of them do the same job. So overlapping goes down.
(B) Planning helps in avoiding confusion and misunderstanding. — Correct. People know their own tasks, so they do not repeat or clash over each other’s work.
(C) Planning helps a manager to anticipate changes and develop managerial responses to them. — Incorrect. This is a true line, but it explains how planning reduces the risks of uncertainty. It does not deal with waste.
(D) Since planning ensures clarity in thought and action, work is carried on smoothly without interruptions. — Correct. Clear plans keep work smooth and without breaks, so time and effort are not wasted.
(E) Planning provides the goals or standards against which actual performance is measured. — Incorrect. This is also true, but it explains how planning establishes standards for controlling.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “(ii) Planning reduces the risks of uncertainty: Planning is an activity which enables a manager to look ahead and anticipate changes. By deciding in advance the tasks to be performed, planning shows the way to deal with changes and uncertain events. Changes or events cannot be eliminated but they can be anticipated and managerial responses to them can be developed.” “(iii) Planning reduces overlapping and wasteful activities: Planning serves as the basis of coordinating the activities and efforts of different divisions, departments and individuals. It helps in avoiding confusion and misunderstanding. Since planning ensures clarity in thought and action, work is carried on smoothly without interruptions. Useless and redundant activities are minimised or eliminated. It is easier to detect inefficiencies and take corrective measures to deal with them.” “(vi) Planning establishes standards for controlling: Planning involves setting of goals. The entire managerial process is concerned with accomplishing predetermined goals through planning, organising, staffing, directing and controlling. Planning provides the goals or standards against which actual performance is measured. …” |