Consider the following statements about the features of planning:
(A) Planning is continuous, as a new plan is drawn when the period of the earlier plan comes to an end.
(B) Planning is pervasive, as a plan is framed, it is implemented, and is followed by another plan.
(C) Planning is continuous, as it lays down the base for the other functions of management.
(D) Planning is futuristic, as it is a forward looking function based on forecasting.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → (A) and (D) only
(A) Planning is continuous, as a new plan is drawn when the period of the earlier plan comes to an end. — Correct. When a plan period ends, a new plan follows.
(B) Planning is pervasive, as a plan is framed, it is implemented, and is followed by another plan. — Incorrect. The reason describes the planning cycle, which makes planning continuous. Pervasive means planning at all levels and in all departments.
(C) Planning is continuous, as it lays down the base for the other functions of management. — Incorrect. Laying down the base for the other functions shows that planning is a primary function of management. It does not show continuity.
(D) Planning is futuristic, as it is a forward looking function based on forecasting. — Correct. Future events are anticipated through forecasting, and plans are drawn for them.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “(ii) Planning is a primary function of management: Planning lays down the base for other functions of management. All other managerial functions are performed within the framework of the plans drawn. Thus, planning precedes other functions. This is also referred to as the primacy of planning. The various functions of management are interrelated and equally important. However, planning provides the basis of all other functions.” “(iii) Planning is pervasive: Planning is required at all levels of management as well as in all departments of the organisation. It is not an exclusive function of top management nor of any particular department. But the scope of planning differs at different levels and among different departments. For example, the top management undertakes planning for the organisation as a whole. Middle management does the departmental planning. At the lowest level, day-to-day operational planning is done by supervisors.” “(iv) Planning is continuous: Plans are prepared for a specific period of time, may be for a month, a quarter, or a year. At the end of that period there is need for a new plan to be drawn on the basis of new requirements and future conditions. Hence, planning is a continuous process. Continuity of planning is related with the planning cycle. It means that a plan is framed, it is implemented, and is followed by another plan, and so on.” “(v) Planning is futuristic: Planning essentially involves looking ahead and preparing for the future. The purpose of planning is to meet future events effectively to the best advantage of an organisation. It implies peeping into the future, analysing it and predicting it. Planning is, therefore, regarded as a forward looking function based on forecasting. Through forecasting, future events and conditions are anticipated and plans are drawn accordingly. Thus, for example, sales forecasting is the basis on which a business firm prepares its annual plan for production and sales.” |