Assignment No.

3
Discussion Questions

1. Define planning. Why is planning primarily a mental activity rather than a “doing” type of
function?

Planning is the managerial function that determines what is to be done. It includes analyzing
the situation, forecasting events, establishing objectives, setting priorities, and deciding what
actions are needed to achieve objectives. Planning is a function of every manager, from the
top-level executive to the supervisor. Without planning, there is no direction to organizational
activities.

2. What is the importance of an organization’s vision? What is your vision for the next 12
months?

Every successful organisation starts with a vision. The clearer the vision, the better the chance
of success. Here are some memes that highlight the importance of an organisation's vision.

A vision tells you where an organisation is heading. A business plan is a roadmap to getting
there you can't draw a roadmap if you don't have a destination. A vision gives you the frame
work for your mission statement. A powerful vision statements rallies support around your
organisation to help ensure it is met. A powerful vision gives your team a reason to get up and
go to work every morning

3. Identify and discuss the important factors a supervisor should consider in planning the work
of his or her areas of responsibility.

Supervisors must remember two things when developing their departmental objectives: (1)
department objectives must be aligned with the organization’s goals and objectives, and (2)
there must be a means to measure and document the department’s contribution to the
organization’s bottom line.

4. Discuss the step-by-step model for management by objectives (MBO). Explain why each step
is crucial if MBO is to be successfully implemented.

Define organizational goals - Goals are critical issues to organizational effectiveness, and they
serve a number of purposes. Organizations can also have several different kinds of goals, all
of which must be appropriately managed.

Define employees objectives - The manager asks what goals the employees believe they can
accomplish in what time period, and with what resources. They will then discuss some
preliminary thoughts about what goals seem feasible for the company or department.
 Continuous monitoring performance and progress - MBO process is not only essential for
making line managers in business organizations more effective but also equally important for
monitoring the performance and progress of employees.

Performance evaluation – Under this MBO process performance review are made by the
participation of the concerned managers.

Providing feedback - The filial ingredients in an MBO program are continuous feedback on
performance and goals that allow individuals to monitor and correct their own actions.
This continuous feedback is supplemented by periodic formal appraisal meetings which
superiors and subordinates can review progress toward goals, which lead to further feedback.

Performance appraisal - are a regular review of employee performance within organizations.

It is done at the last stage of the MBO process.

5. If you were a supervisor in a small firm that had few policies and procedures and you believed
that the organization needed to pursue a TQM program, how would you go about developing
a plan to improve the company’s production processes?

First I will find the problem then plan what to do about it then we should comply to the
standardization and avoid defects. Lastly maintain the standardization for the good customer
satisfaction.

6. What do you see as the downside of a crisis management policy?

Failure to adequately collect information or data and to plan around it. Failure to establish a
command hierarchy or structure. Inability to clearly designate team or organizational
responsibilities. Failure to consistently update and practice contingency plans. Failure to
make crisis information easily understandable, accessible, and implementable.