Planning is a vital managerial function that helps in ascertaining the actions to be followed for accomplishing an assortment of organizational goals. It is an assessment in advance. It is a process, which means ‘thinking before doing.’ Planning function focuses on what to do, where to do, how to do, who is to do. It is associated with the mental state of a manager who thinks ahead of undertaking a particular task. Other functions of management such as organizing, staffing, directing, coordination and controlling are also carried out after planning.

Planning can be defined as, “The process of anticipating future occurrences and problems, exploring their probable impact, and detailing policies, goals, objectives, and strategies to solve the problems. This often includes preparing options documents, considering alternatives, and issuing final plans.”

Planning is the process of looking forward. The primary objective of planning is to accomplish better results. It involves the selection of organizational aims and formulating strategies, plans, procedures, programmes, budgets and other related actions.

Planning is an ongoing process that occurs at all managerial levels. It is done in the beginning but the performance is assessed and suitable adjustments are made in plans when definite implementation is done. Plans may be of various types such as short-term plans, medium term plans, long term plans, standing plans, single use plans, managerial plans, and functional plans.

The process of planning involves a number of steps; gathering info, laying down objectives, developing planning premises, examining alternative courses of action, evaluation of action patterns, reviewing limitations and implementation of plans.