Reena is working in a car manufacturing company. One day she approaches her supervisor to discuss a better procedure of manufacturing the car. But the superior informs her that he is helpless and cannot change the procedure as it is set by the higher level Management.
Identify the limitation of planning highlighted here.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Leads to rigidity
Option (1) May not work in a dynamic environment — Incorrect. This is about plans failing when the outside environment changes. In the case, the problem is that the plan cannot be changed.
Option (2) Involves huge costs — Incorrect. The case says nothing about money spent on planning.
Option (3) Is a time consuming process — Incorrect. The case does not say that planning took too much time.
Option (4) Leads to rigidity — Correct. The procedure was fixed by higher level management, so the supervisor could not change it even for a better method. A well-defined plan decides the future course of action, and managers may not be able to change it.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “(i) Planning leads to rigidity: In an organisation, a well-defined plan is drawn up with specific goals to be achieved within a specific time frame. These plans then decide the future course of action and managers may not be in a position to change it. …” |