Which of the following statements are related to limitations of planning?
A. Planning leads to rigidity
B. Planning is futuristic
C. Planning reduces creativity
D. Planning does not guarantee success
E. Planning involves decision making
Choose the correct answer from the option given below.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → A, C and D only
A. Planning leads to rigidity — Correct. A well-defined plan fixes the future course of action and managers may not be able to change it when circumstances change. This is a limitation.
B. Planning is futuristic — Incorrect. Planning looks ahead to the future. This is a feature of planning, not a limitation.
C. Planning reduces creativity — Correct. Planning is done by top management and others only follow it, so their initiative and creativity get lost. This is a limitation.
D. Planning does not guarantee success — Correct. A plan that worked before may not work again. Success needs proper drawing up and implementation. This is a limitation.
E. Planning involves decision making — Incorrect. Planning means choosing from many alternatives. This is a feature, not a limitation.
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. This kind of rigidity in plans may create difficulty. …” “(iii) 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. …” “(vi) Planning does not guarantee success: The success of an enterprise is possible only when plans are properly drawn up and implemented. Any plan needs to be translated into action or it becomes meaningless. Managers have a tendency to rely on previously tried and tested successful plans. It is not always true that just because a plan has worked before it will work again. Besides, there are so many other unknown factors to be considered. This kind of complacency and false sense of security may actually lead to failure instead of success. …” “Features of Planning Planning focuses on achieving objectives; It is a primary function of management; Planning is pervasive, continuous, futuristic and involves decision making; It is a mental exercise.” |