Planning and Decision Making

Written for the HNC/D core module Planning and Decision making, this text explores the nature of organizational planning and decision making, taking into account that companies operate in uncertain environments and are subject to a number of constraints. It looks at a range of different strategies that organizations employ to tackle planning and decision making. It recognizes the fact that contingency planning plays a vital role in preparing the organization for the "unexpected".;Key features of the text are that it : covers theory and practice in a balanced way; assumes no prior knowledge of the planning or decision making process; enables students to evaluate organization functions as an integral part of the planning process; allows the reader to identify the individuals in the organization who make decisions, and to understand the processes involved in reaching a particular outcome; it covers the range of techniques used in decision making and equips students with the analytical skills needed to evaluate these techniques; discusses the differences between planning and contingency planning; and includes objectives, cases, discussion questions and a summary in each chapter.