Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

False

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Developing a crisis reaction plan is a proactive step taken by the public relations department to prepare for dealing with the media during a crisis. It involves creating a comprehensive plan of action for responding to media inquiries, issuing statements to the press, and managing the organization's reputation in the face of negative publicity.

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.

Accepted Answer

Employees rewarded based on quarterly profit figures are more likely to focus on short-term results to ensure they meet the criteria for their bonuses, rather than engaging in intermediate and long-range planning.

Question 4

Decision making is the catalyst that drives the planning process.

Accepted Answer

Decision making is a critical part of the planning process as it involves analyzing options and choosing the best course of action based on the organization's goals and objectives. Without effective decision making, the planning process may be hindered or ineffective.

Question 5

Tactical plans are to war what strategy is to battles.

Accepted Answer

Tactical plans are specific actions and short-term moves executed to achieve success in engagements or battles, while strategy refers to the overarching plan or approach designed to achieve long-term objectives or overall victory in a war.

Question 6

Time frames vary widely from industry to industry.

Accepted Answer

Different industries have different timelines for various activities including project completion, production cycles, sales cycles, and delivery schedules.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

While most organizations engage in planning activities, the way they plan can differ widely depending on their industry, size, culture, and other factors. Additionally, there are various planning models and frameworks that organizations can use, such as strategic planning, project planning, and contingency planning, among others.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

A reaction plan is designed to address immediate issues or changes that have already occurred, making it a short-range plan.

Question 9

Programs and projects are short-range plans.

Accepted Answer

Programs and projects can vary significantly in duration, ranging from short-term to long-term, depending on their scope and objectives.

Question 10

Operationalizing involves balancing and reconciling possible conflicts among goals.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Operationalizing involves balancing and reconciling possible conflicts...

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

Strategic planning focuses on overall direction and long-term goals, while tactical planning is more focused on specific actions and allocation of resources to achieve those goals. Tactical planning considers resources, environment, and mission, while strategic planning considers people, vision, and action.

Question 12

Strategies must specify resources and time frames.

Accepted Answer

The answer of 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.

Accepted Answer

Tactical plans are typically created to achieve specific short-term goals that support the overall objectives of a strategic plan. Therefore, they must align with and complement the strategic plan. Although there may be some situations where a stand-alone tactical plan is necessary, this is not the norm.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

Strategic plans typically have a longer-term focus than both operational and tactical plans. They typically cover a period of 3-5 years and focus on achieving organizational goals and objectives. Operational plans, on the other hand, have a shorter-term focus and are concerned with day-to-day activities, while tactical plans focus on specific initiatives or projects within a shorter time frame.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

An organization's goals are typically determined by top-level management or executives, who set the overall direction and strategy. Midlevel managers are more often responsible for implementing these goals within their specific departments or areas of influence.

Question 16

A contingency plan is usually done as an action plan.

Accepted Answer

A contingency plan outlines specific actions to be taken in the event of an unexpected or disruptive event. Therefore, it is usually done as an action plan.

Question 17

A program is similar to a project, but smaller.

Accepted Answer

A program is a group of related projects managed in a coordinated manner to obtain benefits not available from managing them individually. Programs are often larger and more complex than individual projects.

Question 18

Tactics deal with more specific issues than strategies.

Accepted Answer

Tactics are detailed plans and actions to accomplish specific goals within the overall strategy. Strategies are more general and broad plans for achieving long-term goals.

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.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of strategic planning, as it involves long-term decisions and agreements that shape the direction and capabilities of the companies involved in producing cell phones.

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

When faced with inconsistencies among various organizational goals, managers should try to find a way to balance these goals and optimize the overall goal set. This means finding a solution that satisfies as many goals as possible, rather than just prioritizing one goal over the others.

Quiz 6: Basic Elements of Planning and Decision Making