Concept:
Planning is the primary function of management. It involves deciding in advance what is to be done, how it is to be done, when it is to be done, and by whom it is to be done.
Planning follows a systematic process consisting of several logical steps.
Step 1: Understanding the planning process.
The usual sequence in the planning process is:
- Setting objectives
- Developing premises
- Identifying alternative courses of action
- Evaluating alternative courses
- Selecting the best alternative
- Implementing the plan
- Follow-up and monitoring
The question states that objectives and premises are already completed.
Step 2: Identifying alternative courses of action.
After establishing objectives and assumptions, managers identify different possible ways to achieve organizational goals.
This corresponds to:
\[
(D) \text{ Identifying alternative courses of action}
\]
Step 3: Evaluating alternatives.
Once alternatives are identified, each alternative is carefully evaluated on the basis of:
- Cost
- Risk
- Feasibility
- Benefits
- Suitability
This corresponds to:
\[
(C) \text{ Evaluating alternative courses of action}
\]
Step 4: Selecting the best alternative.
After evaluation, management selects the most suitable and efficient alternative.
This corresponds to:
\[
(E) \text{ Select the best possible alternative}
\]
Step 5: Choosing the optimal plan and follow-up.
The selected plan is finalized and implemented.
After implementation, managers continuously check whether plans are working properly.
This corresponds to:
\[
(B) \rightarrow (A)
\]
Step 6: Selecting the correct sequence.
Thus, the correct sequence becomes:
\[
C \rightarrow D \rightarrow E \rightarrow B \rightarrow A
\]
Hence, the correct answer is:
\[
\boxed{\text{(D) C, D, E, B, A}}
\]