The document discusses planning, including its definition, importance, principles, characteristics, types, steps, advantages, and disadvantages. Planning is defined as deciding in advance what actions to take in the future. It involves setting objectives, identifying actions to meet objectives, and allocating resources. The key advantages of planning include goal clarity, resource optimization, risk management, and improved decision-making. Some disadvantages are that planning can be time-consuming, costly, and ineffective if the environment changes.

1. EDEN UNIVERSITY
School of Nursing & Midwifery
Sciences
Functions of MGT-Planning -2024
By Fumbelo Emmanuel
Supervisor-Mr Mwaka C Simoonga

2. OBJECTIVES
GENERAL OBJECTIVE
At the end of the lesson students should be
able to gain knowledge on effective
planning.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
 Students should be able to define
planning and explain its importance.
Students should be able to explain the
principles of planning and describe its
characteristics.

3. GENERAL OBJECTIVES CONT…
Students should be able to describe the types of
planning and list the steps in planning process
Students should be able to discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of planning

4. INTRODUCTION
Planning is a fundamental process that
involves setting objectives, identifying actions
to achieve those objectives, and allocating
resources to execute those actions efficiently.
It is a proactive approach to decision-making
that helps individuals, organizations, and
governments anticipate and prepare for the
future. Planning encompasses various
aspects, including strategic planning,
operational planning, and tactical planning,
each tailored to address different levels of
decision-making and timeframes.

5. INTRODUCTION CONT…
Effective planning involves considering factors
such as environmental scanning, goal setting,
resource allocation, risk assessment, and
continuous evaluation and adjustment.
Ultimately, planning serves as a roadmap to
guide actions and optimize outcomes in both
the short and long term.

6. DEFINITIONS
What is planning?
• According to Philip Kotler, "Planning is
deciding in the present what to do in the
future. It is the process whereby
organizations reconcile their resources with
their objectives and opportunities".

7. IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING
Goal Achievement: Planning provides a roadmap for
achieving goals by outlining the necessary steps and
resources. It helps individuals and organizations stay
focused on their objectives and ensures that efforts
are directed towards meaningful outcomes.

8. IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING CONT..
Resource Optimization: Effective planning allows
for the efficient allocation and utilization of
resources, be it time, finances, or manpower. This
optimization ensures that resources are used
wisely, minimizing wastage and improving overall
efficiency.
Improved Decision-Making: Planning involves
evaluating different options and making informed
decisions based on available information. It
encourages critical thinking and foresight,
enabling individuals and organizations to make
well-informed choices that align with their long-

9. IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING CONT…
Time Management: Planning helps in prioritizing
tasks and allocating time effectively. It aids in
setting realistic deadlines, preventing
procrastination, and improving overall time
management. This is crucial for maintaining
productivity and meeting deadlines.

10. IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING CONT…
Risk Management: Through careful planning, potential
risks can be identified and mitigated. By considering
various scenarios and preparing contingencies, planners
can minimize the impact of uncertainties and unexpected
events, enhancing an individual's or organization's ability
to adapt to changing circumstances.

11. PRINCIPLES OF PLANNING
 Clarity of Objectives: Clearly defining goals and
objectives is essential for effective planning.
 Flexibility: Plans should be adaptable to changes
in the environment or circumstances.
 Realism: Plans should be achievable given
available resources and constraints.
Feedback: Regular feedback and monitoring help
to evaluate the effectiveness of plans and make
necessary adjustments.

12. PRINCIPLES OF PLANNING CONT…
Integration: Planning should integrate
various departments and functions within an
organization to ensure coherence and
alignment.
Continuity: Planning should be an ongoing
process, not a one-time event, to address
evolving needs and challenges.
Participation: Involving stakeholders in the
planning process increases buy-in and
improves the quality of plans.
Feasibility: Plans should be feasible in terms

13. CHARACTERISTICS OF PLANNING
1. Primacy – planning precedes all other
elements of functions of management.
2. Continuity- it is a never-ending process of the
manager, as one plan begets another.
3. Flexibility- though planning is selection of a
specific course of action if future assumptions
upon which the planning is based may prove
wrong, the course of action has to be adapted to
altered situations.

14. CHARACTERISTICS OF PLANNING CONT.…
4. Unity – maintenance of unity in planning is
essential because plans are made by different
managers in different departments.
5. Precision- planning has to be precise as to its
meaning.
6. Pervasiveness – planning extends to middle
and lower management. It is a activity that
covers the entire organization.

15. TYPES OF PLANNING
OPERATIONAL PLANS
An operational plan is one that a manager
uses to accomplish his or her job
responsibilities.
Operational plans can be a single-use plan or
an ongoing plan for example a budget is a
single use plan while policies, procedures and
rules/regulations are continuous or on-going
plans.

16. TYPES OF PLANS CONT…
TACTICAL PLANS
A tactical plan is concerned with what the
lower level units within each division must do,
how they must do it, and who is in charge at
each level.
Tactics are the means needed to activate a
strategy and make it work.

17. TYPES OF PLANNING CONT…
Tactical plans are concerned with shorter
time frames, usually span of one year or
less
Normally, it is the middle manager's
responsibility to take the broad strategic
plan and identify specific tactical actions.

18. TYPES OF PLANNING CONT…
STRATEGIC PLANS
A strategic plan is an outline of steps
designed with the goals of the entire
organization as a whole in mind, rather than
with the goals of specific divisions or
departments.
Strategic planning begins with an
organization's mission.
Strategic plans look ahead over the next two,
three, five, or even more years to move the
organization from where it currently is to
where it wants to be.

19. TYPES OF PLANNING CONT…
CONTINGENCY
• Intelligent and successful management depends
upon a constant pursuit of adaption, flexibility
and mastery of changing conditions. Strong
management requires a keeping all options open
approach at all times and that is where
contingency planning comes in.
• Contingency planning involves identifying
alternative courses of action that can be
implemented if and when the original plan proves
inadequate because of changing circumstances.

20. STEPS IN PLANNING PROCESS
Classifying the problems
Establish the objectives
Collecting complete information and data
Analysing and classifying the information
Establishing planning premises
Determining alternative plans
Selecting operating plan and preparing
derivative plans
Arranging timing and sequence of operations
Securing participation of employees
Follow-up of the proposed plan

21. ADVANTAGES OF PLANNING
Goal Clarity: Planning helps to clarify
objectives and goals, providing a clear
direction for action.
Resource Optimization: It enables efficient
allocation and utilization of resources,
maximizing productivity and minimizing
waste.
Risk Management: Planning allows for the
identification and mitigation of risks,
helping to minimize potential disruptions
and losses.

22. ADVANTAGES OF PLANNING CONT…
Coordination: It facilitates coordination and
integration across departments and functions
within an organization, promoting coherence
and alignment.
Anticipation: Planning helps anticipate future
challenges and opportunities, allowing
organizations to proactively prepare and
adapt to changing circumstances.
Decision Making: It provides a structured
framework for decision-making, enabling
informed choices based on thorough analysis
and evaluation.

23. ADVANTAGES OF PLANNING CONT…
Performance Evaluation: Planning allows for
the establishment of benchmarks and
performance indicators, facilitating ongoing
evaluation and improvement.
Flexibility: While providing a roadmap,
planning also allows for flexibility and
adaptation to unexpected events or changes in
the environment.
Motivation: Clearly defined goals and
objectives set through planning can motivate
individuals and teams, fostering a sense of
purpose and commitment.

24. DISADVANTAGES OF PLANNING
Time-consuming and costly
It is argued that planning is a lengthy process
as it involves collection of data, forecast,
research and analysis.
Ineffective due to environmental changes
Business environment changes frequently and
plans are required to be adjusted as per the
changes in the situation through suitable
modifications.

25. DISADVANTAGES OF PLANNING CONT…
Dangers of unreliable data
Planning needs accurate data from internal and
external sources. The quality of planning depends
on such accurate feedback.
Delays actions
Planning is a lengthy process. As a result, the
actions to be taken for execution are delayed.
Unsuitable to small firms
Small firms prefer to function without long term
comprehensive planning as they find planning
rather costly and time-consuming.

26. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, planning is a vital process for
individuals, organizations, and governments to
achieve their goals and objectives effectively. By
systematically setting objectives, analyzing the
environment, developing strategies, and
implementing action plans, planning helps
anticipate and address challenges while
maximizing opportunities.

27. CONCLUSION CONT…
It provides a framework for decision-making, resource
allocation, and performance management, ensuring
alignment with overarching goals and objectives.

28. CONCLUSION CONT…
Moreover, planning is not a one-time event but an iterative
process that requires continuous monitoring, evaluation,
and adaptation to changing circumstances.By fostering
collaboration, innovation, and accountability, planning
enables entities to navigate uncertainty, mitigate risks, and
capitalize on opportunities for sustainable growth and
success.

29. CONCLUSION CONT…
Ultimately, effective planning is essential for achieving
desired outcomes, optimizing resources, and creating value
for stakeholders, thereby driving long-term success and
resilience in a dynamic and evolving world.

30. REFERENCES
• Gillies, Dee Ann (1994) Nursing Management: A systems
Approach. 3rd Edition. W. B. Saunders Company.
Philadelphia.
• Huston, C.,& Marquis B. (2017). Leadership and
management functions in nursing. Theory and application
. 9th ed . Philadelphia, PA : welters Kluwer.

31. End of Presentation