Identify the feature of planning which states that the purpose of planning is to meet future events effectively to the best advantage of an organisation :
Identify the feature of planning which states that the purpose of planning is to meet future events effectively to the best advantage of an organisation :
Options
The correct option is (B) Planning is futuristic.
Reason: Planning essentially involves looking ahead and preparing for the future. NCERT states that 'the purpose of planning is to meet future events effectively to the best advantage of an organisation' — which is the feature 'planning is futuristic' (forward-looking).
Marking Scheme
- 11 mark: correct option (B) Planning is futuristic.
- 2No marks for any other feature of planning.
Hint
The word 'future' in the question points straight to one feature.
Quick Oral Answer
Planning is futuristic — it looks ahead and prepares the organisation to meet future events effectively and to its best advantage, which is why it is also called a forward-looking function.
Analysis & Explanation
This is a keyword-match question on the features of planning.
Concept — Planning is futuristic
Planning always looks ahead. Managers forecast future conditions and prepare in advance so the organisation can face future events to its best advantage. That is why planning is also called a forward-looking function.
Keyword match
The phrase 'meet future events effectively' is the direct NCERT wording for planning is futuristic.
Why the distractors are wrong
- (A) Planning involves decision making: Means planning requires choosing among alternatives — about selection, not about the future.
- (C) Planning is a mental exercise: Means planning requires thinking, foresight and imagination rather than doing — about the intellectual nature, not the future orientation.
- (D) Planning focuses on achieving objectives: Means plans are made to reach predetermined goals — about goals, not about the future time horizon.
Exam trap: All four are real features; match the exact keyword. 'Future events' → futuristic.
Common Mistakes
- 1Choosing 'Planning focuses on achieving objectives' by linking 'best advantage of organisation' to goals rather than to the future orientation.
- 2Selecting 'Planning is a mental exercise' by confusing thinking about the future with the intellectual nature of planning.
- 3Overlooking the keyword 'future events', which is the exact clue for 'planning is futuristic'.
Interesting Facts
Planning is called the 'primary function of management' because it precedes all other functions and lays the foundation on which organising, staffing, directing and controlling are built.
The NCERT features of planning are: focuses on objectives, primary function, pervasive, continuous, futuristic, involves decision making and a mental exercise.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is 'planning is futuristic' different from 'planning is a mental exercise'?
'Futuristic' stresses that planning looks ahead and prepares for future events. 'Mental exercise' stresses that planning is an intellectual activity requiring thinking, foresight and sound judgement rather than physical action. The question's phrase 'future events' signals the futuristic feature.
Why is planning called the primary function of management?
Because planning is done first, before all other management functions. Organising, staffing, directing and controlling are all carried out to implement the plans, so planning provides the base for the entire management process.