Question

What are the six planning tools and techniques? Using an example from your experience (as a student or at work), describe how you could use one of the techniques or tools to improve planning in your future. You may choose to apply your response to a specific goal in answering this question.

Answer 1

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Planning is the base for any project for the organization to achieve its ultimate goals and objectives. Without planning an organization cannot organize, execute direct, supervise its goals and without planning the organization will face a lot of challenges and failure.

Six planning tools and techniques are as follow:

1. Forecasting: forecasting is the first and utmost important tool and technique in planning as it helps in knowing that what will happen in the future. Quantitative forecasting uses statistical analysis and qualitative forecasting use expert suggestions and opinions.

2. Contingency planning: this planning involves alternative ways of doing a task to meet the ultimate needs or goals.

3. Scenario planning: scenario planning is a long-term version of contingency planning. This includes identifying future scenario planning alternatives. It helps the organization in being flexible enough for future problems.

4. Benchmarking: this tool is an external technique that is used and adopted while looking for the current performance by comparing the other organization's superior performance.

5. Use of staff planners: planning cannot be done all alone by the managers so they need staff planners. Its responsibilities include assisting the line managers, assisting in communicating and special plans, monitoring or supervising the plan and working on the changes if required.

6. Participation and involvement: this tool and technique involves the names of people who will be affected by the plan and who will be implementing the plan.

So, to improve planning for the future I would use the tool and technique of benchmarking. the reason behind using this technique is that this technique will help me in knowing what are the skills or knowledge I am lacking behind that is stopping me to do well in comparison to the other organization which is performing quite superior. After comparison, I can enhance my performance.