Planning essentially involves choice from among various alternatives and objectives of there is one possible goal or only one possible course of action, there is no need of planning because thee is no choice. The need for planning arises only when alternative are available. In actual practice, planning presuppose the existence of alternatives, planning, thus, involves through examination and evaluation for each afternative and choosing the most appropriate one.

Planning is looking ahead, as it based on forecasting and is prepared for the future, analysing it and predicting it.Thus, it is a futuristic process.

Planning is looking ahead and controlling is looking back. Plans proceed the standards/targets against which actual performance is compared. bevlation of actual result from the standards indicate the nature of corrective action needed therefore planning may be said to provide basis of control for example a firm has planned to seel 100 units of its product performance of sales department shall be compared with the planned safe and corrective actions would be taken. Thus planning provides the basis of control.

Rules are specific statements that tell what is to be done.
1. A ‘rule’ reflects a managerial decision that a certain action must or must not be taken.
2. They are usually the simplest type of plans because there is no compromise or change unless a policy decision is taken.
3. Rules are rigid and definite plans that specify what is to be done or not to be done is given situations.
4. Rules are to be enforced rigidly and there is generally a fine or penalty for violation of rules. They do no allow for any flexibility or discretion.

Plg in an activity which is done by top mgt. usually the rest of the organisation just implements these plans. The result is that middle management and other decision makers are neither allowed to deviate from plans nor are they permitted to act on their own. This planning restricts creativity

Planning is regarded as a pervasive function as it is required at all levels of mgt. as well as in all departments of the organisation. However the scope of plg. differs at differs at different levels and among different departments.

Koontz and O’ Donnell.

(a) Policies
(b) Objectives
(c) Strategies.

Planning : It is deciding in advance what is to be done. When a manager plans, he projects a course of action for the future, attempting to achieve a consistent and coordinated structure of operations aimed at the desired results. 
Importance of planning:
(i) Planning provides direction By stating in advance how work is to be done, planning provides direction for action. It reduces aimless activity and makes action more meaningful. 
(ii) Planning reduces the risk of uncertainty Planning is always done for future and future is uncertain. With the help of planning, possible changes in future are anticipated and various activities are planned in the best possible way. 
(iii) Planning facilitates decision-making Planning is an intellectual activity. It helps the manager to look into the future and make a choice from amongst various alternative courses of action. The manager has to evaluate each alternative and select the most viable option. Thus, decision- making is inherent in planning. 
(iv) Planning reduces overlapping and wasteful activities : Planning serves as the basis of coordinating the activities and efforts of different divisions, departments and individuals. It helps in avoiding confusion and misunderstanding. Since, planning ensures clarity in thought and action, hence, the work is carried on smoothly without any interruptions.
(v) Planning promotes innovative ideas : Planning is the first function of management, where new ideas can take the shape of concrete plans. It is the most challenging job or an activity of the management as it guides all future actions, leading to growth and prosperity of the business.

Planning is of vital importance in the managerial process. No enterprise can achieve its objectives without systematic planning.
“Planning is the heart of management”
The following points highlight the importance of planning function of management :
1. Planning provides directions : By stating in advance how work is to be done, planning provide direction for action.
If goals are well defined, employees are aware of what the organisation has to do and what they must do to achieve those goals. Departments and individuals in the organisation are able to work in coordination
Planning keeps the organisation on the right path.
If there was no planning, employees would be working in different directions and the organisation would not be able to achieve its goals efficiently.
2. Planning reduces the risks of uncertainty : Business enterprises operate in an uncertain environment and face several types of risks. Planning enables these enterprises to predict future events and prepare to face the unexpected events. With the help of planning, managers can identify potential dangers and take steps to overcome them. Thus, planning helps risk and uncertainty.
3. Planning facilitates decision-making : Decision-making involves searching for various alternative courses of action, evaluating them and selecting the best course of action. Under planning, targets are laid down. With the help of these targets, managers can better evaluate alternative courses of action and select the best alternative. Plans lay down in advance what is to be done and how it is to be done. Therefore, decisions can be taken with greater confidence.
4. Planning reduces overlapping and wasteful activities : Since planning ensures clarity in thought and action, work is carried on smoothly without interruptions. There is no confusion and misunderstanding. Useless and redundant activities are minimized or eliminated. It is easier to detect inefficiencies and take corrective measures to deal with them.
5. Planning promotes innovative ideas : Planning is thinking in advance and, therefore, there is scope of finding better ideas and better methods and procedures to reach the objectives/goals of the enterprise. This forces managers to think differently about the future of the organizations from the present. Thus, planning makes the managers innovative and creative.
6. Planning establishes standards for controlling : Planning provides the goals or standards against which the actual performance can be measured and evaluated. A comparison of actual performance with the standards helps to identify the deviations and to take corrective action. Planning makes control meaningful and effective. ‘Control is blind without planning.” Thus, planning provides the basis of control.