Planning is an essential function that allows the management to see a bigger picture. It is an essential element to other fundamental managerial tasks such as organizing staffing, managing, and leading. Many managers are not involved in the planning process and don’t reap the benefits. This could be due to an absence of training or a predisposition towards not engaging with this function.
Improved Decision Making
Creating a plan forces management to take into consideration the results of their decisions. A plan allows them to evaluate the benefits and risks of various options, as it outlines specific goals. It also assists them to keep their eyes on the future outcomes of their decisions – for example, how an investment they make now could have an impact on the growth of the business in three years’ time.
Productivity Boosted
A clear strategy allows people to break down difficult tasks into manageable parts, allowing them to be completed in a smaller amount of time. This allows them to utilize their time more planning and programs development efficiently and minimizes the risk of confusion.
A plan can also help an organization identify its strengths and weaknesses in the market, enabling it to exploit expanding markets before competitors take advantage of the opportunity, and thus gaining the advantage of being first. A detailed and clear plan can also serve as the framework for projects helping to ensure that responsibilities are distributed efficiently and that the achievement of the key milestones is accounted for proactively.