Planning cannot eliminate change but it can help anticipate changes. C. Planning reduces flexibility. Since planning is an ongoing activity, it only is a constraint if managers stop doing it. Plans can be described by their breadth, time frame, specificity, and frequency of use. Strategic plans are plans that are organizationwide, establish overall objectives, and position an organization in terms of its environment.
Operational plans are plans that specify details on how overall objectives are to be achieved.
Short-term plans are plans that cover less than one year. Long-term plans are plans that extend beyond five years. Specific plans are plans that are clearly defined and leave no room for interpretation. Directional plans are flexible plans that set out general guidelines. Standing plans, on the other hand, are ongoing plans that provide guidance for activities repeatedly performed in the organization and that are created in response to programmed decisions that managers make.