Which of the following depicts the importance of planning?

The correct answer is option 2 i.e. Provides Unity of direction.

The major benefits of planning are given below:
(i) Planning provides direction
(ii) Planning reduces the risks of uncertainty

* Planning reduces creativity: Planning is an activity which is done by the top management. Usually the rest of the members just implements these plans. As a consequence, middle management and other decision makers are neither allowed to deviate from plans nor are they permitted to act on their own. Thus, much of the initiative or creativity inherent in them also gets lost or reduced