“In an organisation, a well-defined plan is drawn up with specific go…

“In an organisation, a well-defined plan is drawn up with specific goals to be achieved within a specific time frame. These plans then decide the future course of action and managers may not be in a position to change it. Following a pre-decided plan, when circumstances have changed, it may not turn out to be in the organisation’s interest”.

The above statement reflects which limitation of planning?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → Planning leads to rigidity.

Option (1) Planning is a time-consuming process. — Incorrect. This limitation is that so much time goes into collecting information and weighing alternatives that little time is left for putting the plan into action.
Option (2) Planning leads to rigidity. — Correct. A well-defined plan with fixed goals and a fixed time frame decides the future course of action. Managers may then be unable to change it. Sticking to such a plan after circumstances have changed can harm the organisation. This is rigidity, and managers need some flexibility to deal with it.
Option (3) Planning may not work in a dynamic environment. — Incorrect. This one is close, but it is about the environment changing so fast that no plan can foresee the changes. The statement is about managers being tied to a fixed plan, which is rigidity.
Option (4) Planning reduces creativity. — Incorrect. Plans are usually made by top management, and the others only carry them out. So they are not free to think of new ideas. The statement does not raise this point.

NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “Planning leads to rigidity: In an organisation, a well-defined plan is drawn up with specific goals to be achieved within a specific time frame. These plans then decide the future course of action and managers may not be in a position to change it. This kind of rigidity in plans may create difficulty. Managers need to be given some flexibility to be able to cope with the changed circumstances. Following a pre-decided plan, when circumstances have changed, may not turn out to be in the organisations interest.”

The above statement reflects which limitation of planning?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → Planning leads to rigidity.

Option (1) Planning is a time-consuming process. — Incorrect. This limitation is that so much time goes into collecting information and weighing alternatives that little time is left for putting the plan into action.
Option (2) Planning leads to rigidity. — Correct. A well-defined plan with fixed goals and a fixed time frame decides the future course of action. Managers may then be unable to change it. Sticking to such a plan after circumstances have changed can harm the organisation. This is rigidity, and managers need some flexibility to deal with it.
Option (3) Planning may not work in a dynamic environment. — Incorrect. This one is close, but it is about the environment changing so fast that no plan can foresee the changes. The statement is about managers being tied to a fixed plan, which is rigidity.
Option (4) Planning reduces creativity. — Incorrect. Plans are usually made by top management, and the others only carry them out. So they are not free to think of new ideas. The statement does not raise this point.