1. Setting up of objectives: Setting up of objective is 1st step of planning. Plans
are prepared with a view to achieve certain goals. Hence, establishing the
objectives is an important step in the process of planning. Plans should
reflect the enterprise’s objectives. Objectives should clearly define as to
what is to be achieved by policies, procedures, rules, strategies, budgets and
programs. Plan must make sure that every activity undertaken contributes to
the achievement of objectives.
2. Developing premises: This
is the second step in planning. Premises include actual forecast data,
policies and plans of the enterprise. Planning involves looking into the
future which necessitates the enterprise to know, how future conditions
will affect its activities. Thus, forecasting is an important step in
planning. There are two types of forecasting namely, - Prediction of general economic conditions.
- Prediction of market conditions for a specific product or service dealt with by the enterprises.
3.Listing various alternatives: Listing various alternative is
the third step in the planning process. The planner should study all
the alternatives, consider the strong and weak points of them and
finally select the most promising ones.4.Evaluating different alternatives: Alternative
selected should be evaluated in the light of premises and goals.
Evaluation involves the study of performance of various actions. Various
factors such as profitability, investment requirements, etc., of such
alternatives should be weighed against each other. Each alternative
should be closely studied to determine its suitability.
5. Selecting an alternative: After
having evaluated the different alternatives, the most suitable
alternative is selected. With this, the plan can be considered to have
been adopted. It is exactly the point at which decisions are made.
Sometimes, in the best interests of the enterprise, several alternative
courses can be adopted. 6. Implementing the plan: Implementing
of plans is the final step in the process of planning. This involves
putting the plans into action so as to achieve the business objectives
Implementation of plans requires establishment of policies, procedures,
standards, budgets, etc.
7.
Follow up: This is the final step of planning process.After
implementing the plan feedback is needed and new plan is to be drawn as
per the requirements.