How to make planning effective?
In the words of J.L. Massie and Douglas, “an effective plan demands upon relating commitments among human, financial and physical resources sufficient to make the accomplishment feasible”.
As pointed out by Duncan, the characteristics of effective plans are that such plans should be action oriented, consistent and flexible and they should provide motivation and co-ordination. We shall now discuss some of the important points that are essential for the effective implementation of plans.
Steps involved in making planning effective
1. Forecasting future events: Management has to make predictions while preparing plans for the future. Thus, a proper system for accurately forecasting the future events should be developed and followed.
2. Good Environment: There should be a proper climate in the organization for the effective implementation of plans. People at all levels of management should extend-their co-operation willingly to make the plan successful.
3. Initiative & Involvement: The effective implementation of the plans depends very much upon the initiative on the part of the upper level management as well as the involvement in the work on the part of the lower level management.
4. Motivation: Plan must provide motivation if it is to become successful. Plan should be clear and specific with regard to its objective so that the human behavior can be motivated.
5. Effective communication: Plans should be communicated to all the persons concerned. All managers should be well informed as to its objectives, strategies, premises and policies. Managers should interpret and explain policies and plans to their subordinates who are to implement them.
6. Flexibility in planning: Planning should have flexibility because future is uncertain. In other words, it should have the feature of adapting itself for changing its direction when forced by unexpected events. If plans are flexible, losses on account of unexpected events could be minimized.
