Planning isn’t _______
(A) A continuous process
(B) Only about looking back
(C) Meaningless without controlling
(D) About seeking inconsistent and ambiguous programmes
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → (B) and (D) only
(A) A continuous process — Planning is this (Incorrect). A plan is made for a period, and then a new plan follows, so planning goes on all the time.
(B) Only about looking back — Planning is not this (Correct). Planning is looking ahead. Plans are made for the future and rest on forecasts. It is controlling that mainly looks back at work already done.
(C) Meaningless without controlling — Planning is this (Incorrect). Once a plan is made, controlling checks whether work goes as planned and puts it right. Without that check, the plan would stay on paper. So planning without controlling is meaningless, and controlling is blind without planning.
(D) About seeking inconsistent and ambiguous programmes — Planning is not this (Correct). Planning seeks programmes that are consistent, integrated and articulated, that is, clear and fitting together.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “Relationship between Planning and Controlling … Thus, planning without controlling is meaningless. Similarly, controlling is blind without planning. If the standards are not set in advance, managers have nothing to control. When there is no plan, there is no basis of controlling. Planning is clearly a prerequisite for controlling. It is utterly foolish to think that controlling could be accomplished without planning. Without planning there is no predetermined understanding of the desired performance. Planning seeks consistent, integrated and articulated programmes while controlling seeks to compel events to conform to plans.” “It is often said that planning is looking ahead while controlling is looking back. However, the statement is only partially correct. Plans are prepared for future and are based on forecasts about future conditions. Therefore, planning involves looking ahead and is called a forward-looking function. …” |