This assignment introduces the concept of planning process, different approaches and addressed planning to strategy.

Authors Avatar

TO:                 S K Manak

FROM:         Yilmaz Vural

DATE:         18 / 11 / O2

SUBJECT:         Business Stragety

 

Introduction

This assignment introduces the concept of planning process, different approaches and addressed planning to strategy. Task 1 explains the importance of the objectives in the planning process. Task 2 gives a fuller review of discussion the advantages & a disadvantage of different approaches also strengths and weaknesses. Task 3 provided discuss the purpose of business organisations that take on board planning.

FINDINGS (the role and setting of objectives in the planning process)    

TASK 1

The objectives of an organisation are related to the input-conversion-output cycle. In order to achieve its objectives and satisfy its goals the organisation takes inputs from the environment, through a series of activities transforms or converts these inputs into outputs and returns them to the environment as inputs to other systems.

The organisation operates within a dynamic setting and success in achieving its goals will be influenced by a multiplicity of interactions with the environment. Whatever the type of organisation, there is a need for lines of direction through the establishment of objectives and determination of policy. Objectives and policy form a basis for the process of management.

DISCUSSION

Clearly defined and agreed objectives are the first stage in the design of organisation structure and help facilitate systems of communication between different parts of the organisation. The ability to communicate corporate objectives to those responsible for seeing that those objectives are achieved is also an essential characteristic of an effective incentive pay scheme.

The choice of objectives is an essential part of the decision-making process involving future courses of action. Objectives may be set out either in general terms or in more specific terms. General objectives are determined by top management. Specific objectives are formulated within the scope of general objectives and usually have more defined areas of application and time limits.

Objectives may be just implicit but the formal, explicit definition of objectives will help highlight the activities which the organisation needs to undertake and the comparative importance of its various functions. An explicit statement of objectives may assist communications and reduce misunderstandings, and provide more meaningful criteria for evaluating organisational performance. However, objectives should not be stated in such a way that they detract from the recognition of possible new opportunities, potential danger areas, the initiative of staff or the need for innovation or change.

A small software house.

Problem: This software house had designed a software package to be used by magistrates’ courts to manage their workload. Each court only had one or two users, and their budgets did not run to software training. In addition many of the users had no previous experience of using a computer. The software house was being inundated with support calls that it could not handle.

Solution: A user guide was designed by a technical author from Aims and Objectives which took a step by step approach to describing the setting up and running of the software. It also included examples and suggestions on how to use the software, and a section on frequently asked questions. All instructions were given for both mouse and keyboard users to cater for ‘new starters’. This was produced in hard copy, so that magistrates’ staff could use it as a training guide, and make their own notes.

Join now!

Outcome: Support calls were cut to one or two a week. End users responded enthusiastically to the documentation and the software. This material is now produced as context sensitive on line help.

Client: A medium aeronautical company.

Problem: This Company had produced a system which could monitor a plane externally for intruders whilst on the ground, and record activities within the cabin whilst in flight. In order to market this product the company had to comply with the very strict requirements of the CAA which requires a number of specialised documents.

Solution: A technical author from Aims and Objectives liased with the ...

This is a preview of the whole essay