Deck 6: Basic Elements of Planning and Decision Making

Question 1

In determining goals, short-range means one to five years.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

When the public relations department develops a crisis reaction plan to deal with the media it is developing a reaction plan.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Employees that are rewarded based on quarterly profit figures will engage in more intermediate and long-range planning than employees who do not receive quarterly bonuses.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Decision making is the catalyst that drives the planning process.

Question 5

Tactical plans are to war what strategy is to battles.

Question 6

Time frames vary widely from industry to industry.

Question 7

All organizations engage in planning activities, and most organizations plan in exactly the same fashion.

Question 8

A reaction plan is usually short range and done after something changed.

Question 9

Programs and projects are short-range plans.

Question 10

Operationalizing involves balancing and reconciling possible conflicts among goals.

Question 11

Tactical planning focuses on resources, environment, and mission, whereas strategic planning focuses primarily on people and action.

Question 12

Strategies must specify resources and time frames.

Question 13

An occasional situation may call for a stand-alone tactical plan, but most of the time tactical plans flow from and must be consistent with a strategic plan.

Question 14

Strategic plans have a shorter-term focus than either operational or tactical plans.

Question 15

An organization's goals follow from decisions made by midlevel managers.

Question 16

A contingency plan is usually done as an action plan.

Question 17

A program is similar to a project, but smaller.

Question 18

Tactics deal with more specific issues than strategies.

Question 19

Qualcomm has a patent-licensing agreement with Texas Instruments allowing both manufacturers to share patents in cell phone production. This is an example of tactical planning.

Question 20

When there are inconsistencies among various organizational goals, managers should seek to optimize the overall goal set.

Question 21

Which of the following statements most correctly reflects the relationship between goal setting and planning?

A) Goal setting enhances planning.
B) Planning facilitates goal setting.
C) The two processes are independent.
D) Each process enhances the other.
E) The two processes are the same thing.

Question 22

A(n) ____ of Choice Waste Management could be to expand operations in two more countries this year.

A) tactical plan
B) mission statement
C) operational goal
D) operational plan
E) strategic goal

Question 23

Goals can

A) provide guidance and direction.
B) improve planning.
C) motivate employees.
D) provide measure and control.
E) All of these choices

Question 24

The purpose of formal goal setting is generally to give managers a chance to tell employees what their goals are and how they will accomplish the objectives.

Question 25

In what order should the following be developed?

A) Mission, operational, strategic, and tactical
B) Strategic, tactical, mission, and operational
C) Mission, tactical, strategic, and operational
D) Tactical, strategic, mission, and operational
E) Mission, strategic, tactical, and operational

Question 26

The vice president of human resources wants to eliminate all overtime, whereas one of the goals set by the vice president of operations is to make more efficient use of overtime hours. This is an example of goal consistency.

Question 27

Goals serve four very important purposes. Each purpose is related closely to one of the four functions of management. According to the text, which of the four functions of management is NOT specifically addressed by one of the purposes served by goals?

A) Planning
B) Organizing
C) Leading
D) Motivating
E) Controlling

Question 28

The mission statement should include all EXCEPT which of the following?

A) Directions
B) Premises
C) Values
D) Tactics
E) Purpose

Question 29

The ____ of Choice Waste Management Ltd. is "to be the best international, integrated, leading waste management company -  working in the best competitive environment to deliver the best value and sustainable waste solutions to meet the world's needs."

A) operational goal
B) tactical plan
C) strategic plan
D) mission statement
E) operational plan

Question 30

Standard operating procedures and rules and regulations can serve as a substitute for decision making.

Question 31

The steps to be followed in case of a fire can be found on the back of any hotel door. These instructions are an example of rules and regulations.

Question 32

Goals, such as employee satisfaction and development, are easy to quantify.

Question 33

Rules and regulations eliminate some decision making.

Question 34

Single-use plans are referred to as policies.

Question 35

Which of the following directly follows from the organization's mission?

A) Operational plans
B) Strategic goals
C) Tactical goals
D) Tactical plans
E) Functional plans

Question 36

You have decided to go into business for yourself. On your loan application, you state that you intend to open a flower shop in the Village Center Mall. What does this statement on your loan application represent?

A) A strategic goal
B) An operational plan
C) A mission statement
D) A strategic plan
E) A tactical plan

Question 37

Goals are set by

A) department, level, and time.
B) distance, area, and group.
C) time, region, and level.
D) time frame, area, and level.
E) department, team, and group.

Question 38

The human resource administrator was following a policy when he offered a candidate a job and started the negotiation process.

Question 39

The ____ of the National Park Service is " to conserve the scenery and the national and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such a manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."

A) operational goal
B) tactical plan
C) strategic plan
D) mission statement
E) strategic goal

Question 40

According to the planning process described in the text, operational plans flow directly from

A) strategic goals.
B) strategic plans.
C) tactical plans.
D) the organization's purpose.
E) the organization culture.

Question 41

Spanx founder Sara Blakely started an apparel company. She wrote a business plan to get financing for expansion. The business plan is Spanx's ____.

A) tactical goal
B) strategic plan
C) operational goal
D) operational plan
E) strategic goal

Question 42

When Starbucks expands internationally it considers market size, local standard of living, business environment, income level and U.S. sentiment. This is considered in the ____ plan.

A) short-term strategic
B) intermediate-term strategic
C) long-term tactical
D) intermediate-term tactical
E) long-term strategic

Question 43

In a manufacturing company, you will most likely find more

A) long-term than short-term operational goals.
B) long-term than short-term strategic goals.
C) short-term than long-term functional goals.
D) long-term than short-term tactical goals.
E) short-term than long-term strategic goals.

Question 44

Goals set for broad general issues are called

A) tactical.
B) strategic.
C) operational.
D) functional.
E) autonomous.

Question 45

Goals are classified according to their ____ when the terms quality , productivity , and innovation are applied to them.

A) area
B) specificity
C) time frame
D) function
E) level

Question 46

Goals set for a new product launch are called

A) tactical.
B) strategic.
C) operational.
D) functional.
E) autonomous.

Question 47

Black Entertainment Television's target audience is 18- to 34-year-old males, because advertisers spend more money on younger consumers. High ratings with that viewership is a(n) ____.

A) tactical goal
B) mission statement
C) operational goal
D) operational plan
E) strategic goal

Question 48

What is the proper managerial response when there are conflicts among goals in different parts of an organization?

A) Minimization
B) Maximization
C) Optimization
D) Purification
E) Assimilation

Question 49

When we identify strategic, tactical, and operational goals, we are classifying them by

A) area.
B) specificity.
C) time frame.
D) purpose.
E) level.

Question 50

Which of the following statements BEST reflects the proper approach to goal setting?

A) Top executives set goals for everyone in the organization.
B) Goals should be set starting from the bottom of the organization.
C) Individual goals should be set first and then organizational goals.
D) Managers should set goals for their own level in the organization.
E) Middle managers set goals for all managers lower than them.

Question 51

Strategic plans set by the board of directors and top management generally have all of the following EXCEPT ____.

A) extended time horizons
B) resource deployment
C) narrow scope
D) a strategy for competitive advantage
E) synergy

Question 52

The ____ for Catholic Charities is "to provide service to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures, and to call the entire church and other people of good will to do the same."

A) tactical plan
B) mission statement
C) operational goal
D) operational plan
E) strategic goal

Question 53

Google set a(n) ____ goal to purchase Motorola Mobility.

A) tactical
B) strategic
C) operational
D) functional
E) autonomous

Question 54

____ set tactical goals.

A) Line managers
B) Staff members
C) Middle-level managers
D) Stockholders
E) Top-level managers

Question 55

A(n) ____ for Choice Waste Management could be "to develop a recycling campaign for rural communities of less than 1000 customers." It would develop naturally out of a strategic goal seeking "to increase recycling by 10% everywhere."

A) tactical goal
B) mission statement
C) operational goal
D) operational plan
E) vision

Question 56

A(n) ____ for Choice Waste Management could be to include a flyer in each bill that explains the Do's and Don'ts of Recycling and to put the information on the web page where customers pay online. It would develop naturally out of a tactical goal seeking "to develop a recycling campaign for rural communities of less than 1,000 customers."

A) vision
B) mission statement
C) operational goal
D) operational plan
E) strategic goal

Question 57

____ plans are the broad plans developed by top managers and the board of directors to guide the general direction of the organization.

A) Tactical
B) Contingency
C) Operational
D) Single-use
E) Strategic

Question 58

Goals set for short-term issues are called

A) tactical.
B) strategic.
C) operational.
D) functional.
E) autonomous.

Question 59

Home Depot's marketing department could set a(n) ____ to create an Internet advertisement for a sale within the next two weeks.

A) tactical goal
B) mission statement
C) operational goal
D) operational plan
E) strategic goal

Question 60

____ involves balancing and reconciling possible conflicts among goals.

A) Optimization
B) Benefaction
C) Maximization
D) Assimilation
E) Elimination

Question 61

Hurricane Irene was forecast to hit the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast about a week before it arrived. The plan to evacuate the Outer Banks of North Carolina was a(n) ____ plan.

A) contingency
B) standing
C) action
D) reaction
E) functional

Question 62

Starbucks' middle managers are responsible for joint venture agreements with bookstores, hotels and airports work from a(n) ____ plan.

A) operational
B) standing
C) single-use
D) contingency
E) tactical

Question 63

A New York Times journalist was taken hostage by the Taliban. Special Forces created a(n) ____ plan and rescued the journalist.

A) organizational
B) standing
C) action
D) reaction
E) functional

Question 64

The owners of the Pizza Place set a goal of expanding into five new markets over the next three years. What kind of goal is this?

A) Level
B) Short-range
C) Area
D) Intermediate-range
E) Long-range

Question 65

Google wanted to compete more effectively against Apple, so it offered to buy Motorola Mobility. This is an example of a(n) ____ plan.

A) strategic
B) standing
C) contingency
D) tactical
E) operational

Question 66

Which of the following types of plans is least subject to change because of the time frame involved?

A) Strategic
B) Functional
C) Contingency
D) Tactical
E) Operational

Question 67

Comcast launched TV One, a station geared to African Americans who are 24 to 54 years old. It does not offer much hip hop. The program selection is part of Comcast's ____ plan.

A) strategic
B) standing
C) contingency
D) tactical
E) operational

Question 68

Disney has a Smartphone app to help visitors navigate Walt Disney World. It helps guests find shorter lines, food, restrooms, etc. The app helps increase guest enjoyment and time in the park, which leads to more revenue. The app is an example of a ____ plan.

A) strategic
B) standing
C) contingency
D) tactical
E) operational

Question 69

Engelhard has just learned of a hostile takeover attempt from BASF. Engelhard needs to develop a(n) ____ plan to thwart this attempted acquisition.

A) contingency
B) standing
C) action
D) reaction
E) functional

Question 70

Plans that have an intermediate time horizon and are concerned with getting things done are called ____ plans.

A) strategic
B) standing
C) contingency
D) tactical
E) operational

Question 71

Which of the following is an example of an intermediate-range plan?

A) Develop an alcohol-powered small engine in the next ten years
B) Investigate FDA claims that nutrition labels on juice bottle are misleading
C) Conduct a Fourth of July sale
D) Sponsor a community wellness day next month
E) Reduce employee absenteeism by 20 percent within the next two years

Question 72

Engelhard has just learned of a hostile takeover attempt from BASF. Engelhard needs to develop a(n) ____ plan to thwart this attempted acquisition.

A) contingency
B) standing
C) action
D) reaction
E) functional

Question 73

____ plans are the organizational plans that are broadest in focus and have the longest time frame.

A) Strategic
B) Functional
C) Contingency
D) Tactical
E) Operational

Question 74

Which of the following organizations would face the most difficulty in developing long-range plans?

A) Those with dynamic, complex environments
B) Those with dynamic, simple environments
C) Those with stable, complex environments
D) Those with stable, simple environments
E) None of these choices

Question 75

American Airlines planned to spin off American Eagle, a regional carrier. This is an example of a(n) ____ plan.

A) operational
B) strategic
C) tactical
D) contingency
E) standing

Question 76

Middle managers are most closely associated with organizational plans at the ____ level.

A) tactical
B) strategic
C) contingency
D) operational
E) functional

Question 77

Starbucks' store managers decide how to customize snacks to the local market. They create the ____ plan.

A) operational
B) standing
C) single-use
D) contingency
E) tactical

Question 78

The tactical plan was to increase sales of King bread mixes through the use of sales promotions. The ____ plan done by a marketing manager low in the management hierarchy included the development of a 50-cents-off coupon to go on the outside of each bread mix box.

A) strategic
B) standing
C) contingency
D) single-use
E) operational

Question 79

Executives at Lululemon Athletica have just written a plan that allocates a large part of the firm's cash to a new product line. This will give them a competitive advantage and the new product line will have a synergistic effect when combined with current products. What kind of plan is this?

A) Strategic
B) Standing
C) Contingency
D) Tactical
E) Operational

Question 80

You just wrote a short-range plan in support of an intermediate plan. You based this plan on your best estimate of future environmental conditions. What kind of plan did you write?

A) Contingency
B) Standing
C) Action
D) Reaction
E) Functional