Question

Explain the following points of importance of planning :

(i) Planning establishes standards for controlling

(ii) Planning reduces overlapping and wasteful activities

Hint:

Planning sets targets that act as standards to measure actual performance, and it makes duties clear so there is no overlapping and waste of effort.

Answer 1

Step 1: What planning does:
Planning means deciding in advance what to do, how to do it and who will do it. We explain two of its advantages, with two ideas each.

Step 2: (i) Planning establishes standards for controlling:
Planning sets the objectives and targets in advance. These become the yardstick against which actual work is measured.
Without a plan, a manager has nothing to compare the actual results with. So control cannot work without planning, and planning gives it a fixed standard for checking deviations.

Step 3: (ii) Planning reduces overlapping and wasteful activities:
Planning is the base of coordination. It tells each department and each person what is to be done and by when. So two people do not do the same job.
Clear work lines also cut down confusion. Waste of time, effort and money is reduced.

Step 4: Check:
Two headings are explained with two statements each, which suits four marks.

Final Answer:
Planning gives standards for control and avoids repeated, wasteful work by making duties clear.