Which of the following pairs relating to planning is correctly matched?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Definition of planning – Setting objectives for a time period, formulating courses of action and selecting the best one
Option (1) ‘Means’ in planning – What is to be done and the targets against which actual performance is measured — Incorrect. Planning deals with ends and means. Ends are what is to be done; means are how it is to be done. The pair describes the ends and the targets, not the means.
Option (2) Primacy of planning – Planning involves a choice from among the various alternative courses of action — Incorrect. Primacy means planning comes before the other functions and lays their base. A choice among alternatives is the feature ‘planning involves decision making’.
Option (3) Base material for plans – The objectives set by the top management as a guide for overall planning — Incorrect. The base material of plans is the premises: forecasts, existing plans or past information about policies. Objectives are the end point that plans aim at.
Option (4) Definition of planning – Setting objectives for a time period, formulating courses of action and selecting the best one — Correct. Planning can be defined as setting objectives for a given time period, working out courses of action and selecting the best one.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “Concept … Therefore, planning means setting objectives and targets and formulating an action plan to achieve them. It is concerned with both ends and means i.e., what is to be done and how it is to be done. … Do you think from the above we can formulate a comprehensive definition of planning? One of the ways to do so would be to define planning as setting objectives for a given time period, formulating various courses of action to achieve them, and then selecting the best possible alternative from among the various courses of action available.” “(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. …” “(ii) Developing Premises … Therefore, the manager is required to make certain assumptions about the future. These assumptions are called premises. Assumptions are the base material upon which plans are to be drawn. The base material may be in the form of forecasts, existing plans or any past information about policies.” |