Chapter 4 Flashcards
AN OVERVIEW OF PLANNING FUNDAMENTALS
formal planning steps
- situational analysis
- alternative goals and plans
- goal and plan evaluation
- goal and plan selection
- implementation
- monitor and control
AN OVERVIEW OF PLANNING FUNDAMENTALS
decision making stages
- identifying and diagnosing the problem
- generating alternative solutions
- evaluating alternatives
- making the choice
- implementing
- evaluation
AN OVERVIEW OF PLANNING FUNDAMENTALS
situational analysis
- a process planners use, within time and resource constraints to gather, interpret, and summarize all information, relevant to the planning issue under consideration
AN OVERVIEW OF PLANNING FUNDAMENTALS
Formal Planning Steps :
1. Situational analysis
- studies past events, examine’s current conditions, and attempts to forecast future trends
- will provide information about the planning decisions you need to make
AN OVERVIEW OF PLANNING FUNDAMENTALS
Formal Planning Steps :
2. Alternative Goals and Plans
- based on situational analysis, the planning process should generate alternative goals that may be pursued in the future and the alternative plans that may be used to achieve those goals
- should stress creativity and encourage managers to think in broad terms about their jobs
- once a range of alternatives has been developed, the merits of these different plans and goals will be evaluated
AN OVERVIEW OF PLANNING FUNDAMENTALS
goal
- a target or end that management desires to reach
AN OVERVIEW OF PLANNING FUNDAMENTALS
Qualities that goals should have (SMART)
- Specific :
- when goals are precise, describing particular behaviors and outcomes, employees can more easily determine whether they are working towards their goals
- Measurable :
- as much as possible, each goal should quantify the desired results so there is no doubt whether it has been achieved
- Attainable (but challenging) :
- employees need to recognize that they can attain goals they are responsible for, or else they are likely to become discouraged. However, they also should feel challenged to work hard and be creative
- Relevant :
- each goal should contribute to the organization’s overall mission while being consistent with its values, including ethical standards. Goals are most likely to be relevant to the organization’s overall objectives if they are consistent within and among work groups
- Time-bound :
- effective goals specify a target date for completion. Besides knowing what to do, employees should know when they need to deliver results
AN OVERVIEW OF PLANNING FUNDAMENTALS
plan
- actions of means managers intend to use to achieve organizational goals
- at a minimum, planning should outline alternative actions that may lead to the attainment of each goal, the resources required to reach the goal through those means, and the obstacles that may develop
AN OVERVIEW OF PLANNING FUNDAMENTALS
Formal Planning Steps :
3. Goal and Plan Evaluation
- managers will evaluate the advantages, disadvantages, and potential effects of each alternative goal and plan and either prioritize or eliminate some
- managers will consider carefully the implications of alternative plans for meeting high-priority goals, in particular, they will pay a great deal of attention to the cost of any initiative and the investment return that is likely to result.
AN OVERVIEW OF PLANNING FUNDAMENTALS
scenario
- a narrative that describes a particular set of future conditions
AN OVERVIEW OF PLANNING FUNDAMENTALS
Formal Planning Steps :
4. Goal and Plan Selection
- once managers have assessed the various goals and plans, they will select the one that is most appropriate and feasible
- the evaluation will identify the priorities and trade-offs among the goals and plans
- in some organizations, the alternative generation, evaluation, and selection steps generate planning scenarios
- a different contingency plan is attached to each scenario, the manager then pursues the goals and implements the plans associated with the most likely scenario, however, the manager will also be prepared to switch to another set of plans if the situation changes and another scenario becomes relevant
- this approach helps the firm anticipate and manage crises and allows greater flexibility and responsiveness
AN OVERVIEW OF PLANNING FUNDAMENTALS
Formal Planning Steps :
5. Implementation
- once managers have selected goals and plans, they must implement the plans designed to achieve the goals
- managers and employees must understand the plan, have the resources to implement it, and be motivated to do so
- including employees in previous steps of planning process pages the way for the implementation phase because they are usually better informed, more committed, and more highly motivated when a goal or plan is one they helped develop
- successful implementation requires a plan to be linked to other systems in the organization, particularly the budget and reward systems such as commissions, salaries, promotions, bonuses for successful performance
PLANNING AND STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
strategic planning
- a set of procedures for making decisions about the organization’s long-term goals and strategies, sea also Planning
- strategic plans have a strong external orientation and cover major portions or the organization
- senior executives are responsible for the development and execution of the strategic plan, although they do not formulate or implement the entire plan personally
AN OVERVIEW OF PLANNING FUNDAMENTALS
Formal Planning Steps :
6. Monitor and Control
- without it, you will never know whether your plan is succeeding
- managers must continually monitor the actual performance of their work units against the units’ goals and plans
- managers also need to develop control systems to measure that performance and allow them to take corrective action when the plans are implemented improperly or when the situation changes
PLANNING AND STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
strategic goals
- major targets or end results relating to the organization’s long-term survival, value, and growth
- strategic managers (top level managers) usually establish goals that reflect effectiveness (providing appropriate outputs) and efficiency (a high ratio of outputs to inputs)
- typical strategic goals include growth, increasing market share, improving profitability, boosting return on investment, fostering both quantity and quality of outputs, increasing productivity, improving customer service, and contributing to society
PLANNING AND STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
strategy
- a pattern of actions and resource allocations designed to achieve the organization’s goals
- an effective strategy provides a basis for answering five broad questions about how the organization will meet its objectives :
- Where will we be active?
- How will we get there (e.g., by increasing sales or acquiring another company)?
- How will we win in the marketplace (e.g., by keeping prices low or offering the best service)?
- How fast will we move and in what sequence will we make changes?
- How will we obtain financial returns (low costs of premium prices)?
- in setting a strategy, managers try to match the organization’s skills and resources to the opportunities found in the external environment
PLANNING AND STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
tactical planning
- a set of procedures for translating broad strategic goals and plans into specific goals and plans that are relevant to a distinct portion of the organization, such as a functional area like marketing
- focuses on the major actions a unit must take to fulfill its part of the strategic plan
STRATEGIC PLANNING
strategic management
- a process that involves managers from all parts of the organization in the formulation and implementation of strategic goals and strategies
- it integrates strategic planning and management into a single process
- strategic planning becomes an ongoing activity in which all managers are encouraged to think strategically and focus on long-term, externally oriented issues as well as short-term tactical and operational issues
- six major components :
- Establishment of mission, vision, and goals.
- Analysis of external opportunities and threats.
- Analysis of internal strengths and weaknesses.
- SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis and and strategy formulation.
- Strategy implementation.
- Strategic control.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Strategic Management Process Steps
1. Establishment of Mission, Vision, and Goals
- first step is establish a mission, a vision, and goals for the organization.
- ideally, the vision statement clarifies the long-term direction of the company and its strategic statement.
- most effective vision statements inspire organization members
- offer a worthwhile target for the entire organization to work together to achieve
- strategic goals evolve from the mission and vision of the organization
- the chief executive officer of the organization, with the input and approval of the board of directors, establishes the mission, vision, and major strategic goals
- where leadership is strong, statements of visions and goals clarify the organization’s purpose to let constituencies outside the organization.
- also help employees focus their talent, energy, and commitment in pursuit of the organization’s goals.
PLANNING AND STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
operational planning
- the process of identifying the specific procedures and processes required at lower levels of the organization
- frontline managers usually focus on routine tasks such as production runs, delivery schedules, and human resources requirements
STRATEGIC PLANNING
strategic vision
- the long-term direction and strategic intent of a company
- points to the future
- provides a perspective on where the organization is headed and what it can become
STRATEGIC PLANNING
mission
- an organization’s basic purpose and scope of operations
- a clear and concise expression of the basic purpose of the organization
- it describes what the organization does, it’s basic good or service, and it’s values
- describes the organization as it currently operates
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Strategic Management Process Steps
2. Analysis of External Opportunities and Threats
- successful strategic management depends on an accurate and thorough evaluation of the competitive environment and macro environment.
- frequently, the difference between an opportunity and a threat depends on how a company positions itself strategically
- in some environments, it takes an especially creative mind to see opportunities among severe threats.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
stakeholders
- groups and individuals who affect and are affected by the achievement of the organization’s mission, goals, and strategies
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Environmental Analysis :
Industry and Market Analysis
- Industry profile : major product lines and significant market segments in the industry
- Industry growth : growth rates for the entire industry, growth rates for key market segments, projected changes in patterns of growth, and determinants of growth
- Industry forces : threat of new industry entrants, threat of substitutes, economic power of buyers, economic power of suppliers, and internal industry rivalry
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Environmental Analysis :
Competitor Analysis
- Competitor profile : major competitors and their market shares
- Competitor analysis : goals, strategies, strengths, and weaknesses of each major competitor
- Competitor advantages : the degree to which industry competitors have differentiated their products or services achieved cost leadership
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Environmental Analysis :
Political and Regulatory Analysis
- Legislation and regulatory activities and their effects on the industry
- Political activity : the level of political activity that organizations and associations within the industry undertake
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Environmental Analysis :
Social Analysis
- Social issues : current and potential social issues and their effects on the industry
- Social interest groups : consumer, environmental, and similar activist groups that attempt to influence the industry