IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING

THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING

·         Gives an organization a sense of direction. Without plans and goals, organizations merely react to daily occurrences without considering what will happen in the long run. For example, the solution that makes sense in the short term doesn't always make sense in the long term. Plans avoid this drift situation and ensure that short-range efforts will support and harmonize with future goals.

·         Focuses attention on objectives and results. Plans keep the people who carry them out focused on the anticipated results. In addition, keeping sight of the goal also motivates employees. Planning helps to identify and establishes priorities for the organization. Priorities are things which are more important than other things. They are the things which take first place in your time and attention.  You will have priorities in life whether you consciously determine them or not.  You will establish priorities either by drifting into habits that become a way of life, because of pressure of circumstances or people around you, or by a definite decision based on God's purposes

·         Establishes a basis for teamwork. Diverse groups cannot effectively cooperate in joint projects without an integrated plan.

·         Helps anticipate problems and cope with change. When management plans, it can help forecast future problems and make any necessary changes up front to avoid them. Of course, surprises can always catch an organization short, but many changes are easier to forecast. Planning for these potential problems helps to minimize mistakes and reduce the “surprises” that inevitably occur.

·       Provides guidelines for decision making. Decisions are future-oriented. If management doesn't have any plans for the future, they will have few guidelines for making current decisions. If a company knows that it wants to introduce a new product three years in the future, its management must be mindful of the decisions they make now. Plans help both managers and employees keep their eyes on the big picture.

·      Serves as a prerequisite to employing all other management functions. Planning is primary, because without knowing what an organization wants to accomplish, management can't intelligently undertake any of the other basic managerial activities: organizing, staffing, leading, and/or controlling. It is a basis for control and helps to assess the progress and permits evaluation: Planning includes evaluation to see if you are fulfilling God's purpose and plan. Understanding Biblical principles of success and reasons for failure permit such evaluation.

·      Help to identify the resources required for the accomplishment of the vision (physical, financial, information and human). It facilitates the effective and economical use of resources.