Arrange the following steps in planning process in the correct order:
A. Developing premises
B. Setting objectives
C. Selecting an alternative
D. Evaluating alternative courses
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → B, A, D, C
(B) Setting objectives — first. Planning starts by deciding what the organisation wants to achieve. Every later step works towards these objectives.
(A) Developing premises — second. Premises are the assumptions about the future on which the plan is built, such as forecasts of demand, prices or interest rates. They can be made only once the objective is known.
(D) Evaluating alternative courses — third. The possible ways of reaching the objective are first identified. Each one is then weighed for its merits and drawbacks against the objective and the premises.
(C) Selecting an alternative — fourth. The course with the most benefits and the fewest drawbacks is chosen. A choice is possible only after every course has been evaluated.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “Setting Objectives: The first and foremost step is setting objectives. …” “Developing Premises: Planning is concerned with the future which is uncertain and every planner is using conjecture about what might happen in future.” “Evaluating alternative courses: The next step is to weigh the pros and cons of each alternative. Each course will have many variables which have to be weighed against each other. …” “Selecting an alternative: This is the real point of decision making. The best plan has to be adopted and implemented.” |