Before the festive season, the director of Sona Sweets wrote down what the firm had to achieve in the next three months. She also told each employee what he or she had to do to reach that target. Earlier, every employee had followed his or her own idea of what the firm wanted. Now everyone knows what action to take.
Which importance of planning is shown here, and on what basis?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Planning provides directions, as goals stated in advance guide the action to be taken.
Option (1) Planning reduces overlapping and wasteful activities, as goals stated in advance guide the action to be taken. — Incorrect. The basis is right, but goals that guide action show how planning provides directions.
Option (2) Planning provides directions, as goals stated in advance guide the action to be taken. — Correct. Earlier, people worked in different directions. Once the target was written down and shared, the goal guided each person’s action.
Option (3) Planning reduces overlapping and wasteful activities, as clarity in thought and action minimises useless activities. — Incorrect. This pair is true in itself, but the case shows people learning what to do, not useless work being cut.
Option (4) Planning provides directions, as clarity in thought and action minimises useless activities. — Incorrect. The benefit is right, but this basis belongs to reducing overlapping and wasteful activities.
Providing directions is about knowing what to do; reducing waste is about cutting repeated or useless work.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “(i) Planning provides directions: By stating in advance how work is to be done planning provides direction for action. Planning ensures that the goals or objectives are clearly stated so that they act as a guide for deciding what action should be taken and in which direction. If goals are well defined, employees are aware of what the organisation has to do and what they must do to achieve those goals. Departments and individuals in the organisation are able to work in coordination. If there was no planning, employees would be working in different directions and the organisation would not be able to achieve its desired goals.” “(iii) Planning reduces overlapping and wasteful activities: Planning serves as the basis of coordinating the activities and efforts of different divisions, departments and individuals. It helps in avoiding confusion and misunderstanding. Since planning ensures clarity in thought and action, work is carried on smoothly without interruptions. Useless and redundant activities are minimised or eliminated. It is easier to detect inefficiencies and take corrective measures to deal with them.” |