Management in Action Case Study. Will GM’s Strategic Plan Lead to Future Success

As a result of the increase in industrial complexity, organizations face many uncertainties of the future. Over the years, several unprecedented issues have occurred, which have resulted in the failures of businesses. Thus, managers are to strategize specific mix and tactics to survive these inconsistencies. It should be noted that the future has its gaps and uncertainties and it is unwise to cover these gaps without the strategic plan. This study will analyze and answer the five (5) questions in “Planning: The Foundation of Successful Management.”

5.1. An early detection of a problem ensures the prompt and ample solution. Therefore, planning is ideal and very important to the future success of any business. Planning involves setting goals and deciding on how to strategically meet the set goals. For an organization to carry out its strategies and goals effectively, it requires the use of strategic management which involves formulation, implementation, and execution. The top, middle, and first line managers set up the goals and mission of the organization, frame and set up the strategies, tactical and working plans, implementation and control of the strategies. To meet the goals of the organization, it is very important that the managers involve all classes of employees in the organization; each supplying his input to the organization which will create time for adequate planning. Also, the ability to make snap and timely unplanned decisions on varying circumstances in the organization is an attribute the managers have to own to help achieve goals.

The perks in planning involve checking the organizations progress by observing its low pace or best performance, planning is another to harmonize the activities of department in achieving the goals of the organization, it helps to look ahead of the current phase in the organization, perceive uncertainties and work in line of these to prevent an unhealthy future. The modes by which organizations respond to uncertainty include refining their current existing operation and not going outside their comfort zones for opportunities, and not waiting for new opportunities they develop their own market. They let others take the risk of innovations, then, they give the best ideas for improvement, and the organization responds abruptly when pressures exist.

5.2. In a bid to achieve the aims and goals of the organization visions must be strategically transformed into goals. The vision includes the core reason for an organizations existence. It is their long-term goal and ways of achieving these set goals, the top, middle and line managers carries out the transformation of visions into goals using long-term decisions on planning, strategic implementation of plans and daily tasks. Being familiar with the time extent of each plan is very important for the vision and mission of an organization. The study shows that achieving goals on the long-run is the major intents of the organization. The top, middle and line managers carries out the strategic, tactical and working goals respectively, the modes of achieving a stated goal is the action plan and the stated modes to conduct a business by the action plan is the working plan.

5.3. Management By Objective is a technique set by the superiors and subordinates in achieving the organizational goals. The employees set goals, which should be approved by the superiors, the actions carried out in attaining these improvement goals, personal goals and maintenance of already existing performance, MBO is also a system of incentive than a control technique where at the intervals appraisals recommend employee performance by increments and incentives while failures and a constant fall in performance attracts penalties which will boost performance in time. Commitment and cooperation of the departments involved ensures the effectiveness of MBO in achieving future goals, MBO carried out in all constituent parts of the organization gives room for a plausible future and the reason for portfolio hierarchical arrangement in the organization are to set goals and check performances.

A positive future for the organization involves SMART goals in specific and attainable terms, goals measurable and quantifiable, goals made to any extent of choice but with a given resource available all goals set are realistic and attainable, there is a grasp understanding of the mission and vision of the organization, SMART goals are result oriented and void of procrastination in line with the visions of the organization. Making specific exact dates on realistic goals set for achievement and giving room for the manager to work in view to the time line set.

5.4. For an organization to head in the right direction it is important to plan and start a level of control. The Planning/Control cycle depicts the actions after plan; it involves control to make sure the organization is on track, a continuous loop of this process indicates the circle. The entire circle involves four (4) basic steps; two (2) planning steps and two (2) control steps. First, conceive the achievable plan; set up modules to carry out these plans, after carrying out the plan there would be a series of results available the next step would involve using control to dictate the direction and plan of the organization in view of their results; the control is further carried out by making adjustments to the first plans carried out that might have been out-of-place or improving on the plans that might have been out-of-place. The continuous repetition of the process in achieving the planning and control emphasizes planning/control cycle and this will move the organization in the direction.

5.5. Preparing a single-use plan that has less complexity than a range of activities, which reduce the risks associated with uncertainties in carrying out a project known as project planning. It is important because it achieves objectives fast; it employs an external team outside of the usual organization environment where people in different skills cooperate to make sure a project meets its goal. On the other hand, project planning cycle involves the manager’s visualization of the project on the stating the problem and making assumptions. The goals and financial involvement needed to enhance the work is the definition stage, the equipment, resources, the schedule and duties of people who will make the plan work is the planning stage, the peak of the project cycle is at the execution stage where the tactics and control is at its greatest and ensuring the clients satisfaction and the closing stage involves the project manager preparing and presenting a full documentation of the entire project to the client and clients acceptance of the project.

In conclusion, using the above case study and analysis, the future will be successful. Planning for the future by setting up goals in view of the missions and visions of the body, employing strategies and tactics, engaging different departments, setting up managerial goals in line with attributes that are specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and the plausible target will thrive over time.