Planning function helps managers to set a road map for the organization hence making them to be future oriented (Fainstein & DeFilippis, 2015). However, there are some demerits that have been associated with this function arising from rigidity and also from techniques of planning as well as from the planners themselves (Bharadwaj, 2014).
Planning process is rigid since it makes the administration of the organization not to be flexible. This is because it is associated with the prior setting of policies, programs, procedures, and strict adherence to them. Planning lowers individual freedom hence discouraging innovation (Bharadwaj, 2014). Planning is also disadvantageous since it is associated with misdirected planning. Some managers can opt to use this process to serve their interest and not the interest of the organization (Kerzner, 2013). Additionally, planning consumes a lot of time since it involves, the collection of information, analysis of that information and interpretation. The process takes, even more, time in scenarios where there are many alternatives available. Moreover, planning is based on probability. The process relies on estimates, and the future is also associated with uncertainties.
Planning, on the other hand, is good since it guides the organization, brings order and rationality in a given organization. It helps to ensure that organization’s goals and objectives are achieved with the set time, scope, cost, and in the right quality (Fainstein & DeFilippis, 2015). Managers can use both the disadvantages and advantages of planning for their advantage by getting to learn from past occurrences in the planning process so that they might not repeat the same mistakes in future (Kerzner, 2013). This is possible since managers can be able to establish potential constraints and opportunities in advance.
Conclusively, planning despite being healthy to the organization, there are some disadvantages associated with it such as rigidity and uncertainties. However, managers can use both the pros and cons of planning as an eye opener. To help them learn from past mistakes.
References
Bharadwaj, A. (2014). Advantages and disadvantages of using project mangagement software. ZENITH International Journal of Business Economics & Management Research, 4(8), 132-136.
Fainstein, S. S., & DeFilippis, J. (Eds.). (2015). Readings in planning theory. John Wiley & Sons.
Kerzner, H. R. (2013). Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
