1. Contemporary Issues in Planning
Criticisms of Planning
Planning may create rigidity
Plans cannot be developed for dynamic environments
Formal plans cannot replace intuition and creativity
Planning focuses managers’ attention on today’s competition, not tomorrow’s survival
Formal planning reinforces today’s success, which may lead to tomorrow’s failure
Learning Objective #3
Chapter 6, Stephen P. Robbins, Mary Coulter, and Nancy Langton, Management, Ninth Canadian Edition
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education Canada

2. Contemporary Issues in Planning
Effective Planning in Dynamic Environments
Develop plans that are specific but flexible
Understand that planning is an ongoing process
Change plans when conditions warrant
Persistence in planning eventually pays off
Flatten the organizational hierarchy to foster the development of planning skills at all organizational levels
Chapter 6, Stephen P. Robbins, Mary Coulter, and Nancy Langton, Management, Ninth Canadian Edition
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education Canada

3. Summary and Implications
What does planning involve?
Planning is the process of defining specific goals that cover a period of years
How do managers set goals and develop plans?
Planning involves two important elements: goals and plans. Goals are the desired outcomes for individuals, groups or entire organizations. Plans outline how goals are going to be met.
Chapter 6, Stephen P. Robbins, Mary Coulter, and Nancy Langton, Management, Ninth Canadian Edition
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education Canada

4. Summary and Implications
What are the challenges in planning?
Planning can lock people into a particular way of behaving, which might not be appropriate at a later point
Chapter 6, Stephen P. Robbins, Mary Coulter, and Nancy Langton, Management, Ninth Canadian Edition
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education Canada