Why does planning sometimes fail in spite of the best efforts of management ?

Answer – Planning means deciding in advance what to do, how to do it, when it should be done and who should do it. It establishes objectives and selects an appropriate course of action, bridging the gap between the present position and the desired future.

1. Rigidity: strict adherence to an existing plan can discourage necessary changes and initiative.
2. Dynamic environment: changes in technology, competition, law or economic conditions can invalidate assumptions.
3. Reduced creativity: detailed plans imposed from above may leave employees little opportunity to contribute.
4. High costs: research, expert advice, information collection and preparation involve expenditure that must be justified by expected benefits.
5. Time-consuming process: collecting and evaluating information can delay action when a quick response is needed.
6. No guarantee of success: plans depend on assumptions and effective execution; past success does not ensure future success.

Good managers use realistic assumptions, monitor conditions, encourage participation and revise plans when necessary. These steps reduce limitations but do not make the future certain.