Question:medium
Planning is described as a 'mental exercise.' Which feature of planning does this statement primarily highlight?
Planning is described as a 'mental exercise.' Which feature of planning does this statement primarily highlight?
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Whenever words like “thinking,” “judgment,” or “foresight” appear, they usually point toward planning as a mental exercise.
Updated On: Jun 3, 2026
- \( \text{Planning is pervasive} \)
- \( \text{Planning is futuristic} \)
- \( \text{Planning is a mental exercise} \)
- \( \text{Planning is continuous} \)
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Planning is the foundational function of management that bridges the gap between where an organization stands today and where it wants to be in the future. It involves setting goals and mapping out the best course of action to achieve them. Because planning deals with evaluating unseen future scenarios and choosing among alternative options, it relies heavily on intellectual competence rather than guess-work or repetitive physical tasks.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's look at the specific features of planning to see what the statement reflects: - (A) Planning is pervasive: Means that planning is required at all levels of management (top, middle, and operational) and in all types of organizations. - (B) Planning is futuristic: Means that planning looks ahead into the future to prepare for upcoming opportunities and challenges. - (C) Planning is a mental exercise: This feature highlights that planning requires higher-order intellectual thinking, foresight, logical judgment, and systematic evaluation. A manager cannot plan effectively based on wishful thinking or trial-and-error. They must analyze hard data, predict market trends, and weigh the pros and cons of different strategies in their mind before making a final choice. - (D) Planning is continuous: Means that plans are prepared for a specific period and must be constantly revised and updated as market conditions shift. The prompt directly names the characteristic of being an intellectual, cognitive activity, making option (C) the exact match.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The statement highlights the feature that Planning is a mental exercise.
Planning is the foundational function of management that bridges the gap between where an organization stands today and where it wants to be in the future. It involves setting goals and mapping out the best course of action to achieve them. Because planning deals with evaluating unseen future scenarios and choosing among alternative options, it relies heavily on intellectual competence rather than guess-work or repetitive physical tasks.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's look at the specific features of planning to see what the statement reflects: - (A) Planning is pervasive: Means that planning is required at all levels of management (top, middle, and operational) and in all types of organizations. - (B) Planning is futuristic: Means that planning looks ahead into the future to prepare for upcoming opportunities and challenges. - (C) Planning is a mental exercise: This feature highlights that planning requires higher-order intellectual thinking, foresight, logical judgment, and systematic evaluation. A manager cannot plan effectively based on wishful thinking or trial-and-error. They must analyze hard data, predict market trends, and weigh the pros and cons of different strategies in their mind before making a final choice. - (D) Planning is continuous: Means that plans are prepared for a specific period and must be constantly revised and updated as market conditions shift. The prompt directly names the characteristic of being an intellectual, cognitive activity, making option (C) the exact match.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The statement highlights the feature that Planning is a mental exercise.
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Top Questions on Planning
- Plans are prepared for a specific period of time, may be for a month, a quarter or a year. At the end of that period, there is a need for a new plan to be drawn on the basis of new requirements and future conditions. The feature of planning reflected in the above lines is:
- ‘Best Electronics’ is led by its visionary Chief Executive Officer, Nikhil. It has a reputation for good quality products and customer service. Nikhil recognised the need to continually innovate and provide customers with the latest products. He wanted the company to be the market leader in electronics. Nikhil knew that to realise his ambitious vision, he needed a clear and well-defined plan that would provide broad contours of the company's business. His team conducted extensive market research to uncover emerging trends, customer preferences, and potential competitors. On its basis, a plan was prepared defining the company's direction and scope in the long run. On the implementation of the plan, 'Best Electronics' became the market leader in two years. The type of plan which helped 'Best Electronics' to become the market leader was:
- Atul Sharma was the Chief Executive Officer of a footwear company, 'Stepone Footwear’. The company manufactured innovative and comfortable footwear for all age groups. Atul Sharma was known for meticulous planning. He ensured that the goals and objectives of the company are clearly stated so that they act as a guide for deciding what action should be taken and in which direction. Before each season, 'Stepone Footwear’ carefully analysed market trends, customer preferences and production schedules. This analysis enabled the company to look ahead and anticipate changes and develop managerial responses, wherever necessary. As a result, they were able to consistently deliver innovative and comfortable shoes to the market. During one season, there was a sudden surge in demand for eco-friendly shoes. 'Stepone Footwear' had already planned their production for the year with specific goals to be achieved within a specific time frame. The managers of 'Stepone Footwear' did not have the flexibility to change the plan to cope with the changed circumstances. Another shoe company 'Eco Step' quickly adapted and started manufacturing comfortable eco-friendly shoes. By not being able to adjust to the rapidly changing market, 'Stepone Footwear’ faced inventory surplus while 'Eco Step' emerged as a market leader in sustainable eco-friendly footwear. Quoting lines from the above paragraph, identify and explain two benefits and two limitations of 'Planning function of management discussed in the above case.
- ‘Vishesh Constructions', a construction company, decided to strictly implement 'No Helmet, No Entry’ and put the following sign at their construction sites:
Identify the type of plan indicated by the above sign:
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