The first important skill needed by a manager is planning. Planning is essential for total management success. Each manager has the responsibility and the authority for the efficient operation of a unit. A unit has a definite purpose , a mission, and it is up to the manager to see that the job is done. In order to do this job, managers have, at their disposal, materials, people, machines, money, and methods.
Planning requires thinking things through.
It involves defining the situation, identifying all the actions that must be performed, and determining how the actions should be handled. There are many steps in the planning process. First, planning must start with an understanding of the things that should be done. This includes knowing the purpose of the organization, the major objectives to be achieved, and the most troublesome problems that might interfere with accomplishing the objectives. The setting of objectives establishes the framework for the entire system of planning, and in fact, for the entire management process.