Question 1

Which of the following is the first step in the human resource planning process?

Accepted Answer

The first step in the human resource planning process is to assess organizational objectives and plans. This involves understanding the goals and objectives of the organization, the resources needed to achieve them, and the role that human resources play in meeting those objectives. Only after this step can the organization determine its human resource requirements, prepare an inventory of current resources, and develop programs to meet those requirements.

Question 2

Which of the following is a planning device as well as a strategy for organizational control?

Accepted Answer

A budget is both a planning device and a strategy for organizational control. It involves setting financial goals and allocating resources in advance, as well as monitoring actual results against those goals and making adjustments as needed. Policies, procedures, programs, and rules are all important elements of organizational control, but they are typically more focused on standardizing behaviors and outcomes rather than specific financial targets.

Question 3

Which of the following is a qualitative method of sales forecasting?

Accepted Answer

The jury of executive opinion method is a qualitative method of sales forecasting that involves soliciting opinions from a group of experts or executives within the company. This method relies on subjective judgments and experiences to make predictions about future sales. The other options listed are quantitative methods that use statistical analysis to make forecasts based on past trends and data.

Question 4

When selecting a site for their new plant, company management is interested in gaining information about the competitive situation that exists at the site. Which area of consideration is management looking into when selecting the new site?

Accepted Answer

The answer of When selecting a site for their new...

Question 5

A ________ is a single-use plan designed to carry out a special project within the organization.

Accepted Answer

A program is a set of coordinated activities designed to achieve a specific goal. A project is a one-time initiative that is usually part of a larger program or plan. Therefore, a program is the most appropriate choice for describing a single-use plan designed to carry out a special project within the organization. Procedures, rules, budgets, and policies are typically ongoing plans or guidelines, not specifically designed for a one-time project.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a reason for failure of plans?

Accepted Answer

Adequate inputs used in planning is actually a reason for success, not failure. The other options all describe common reasons for plan failure.

Question 7

The salesforce estimation method is a ________ method of sales forecasting.

Accepted Answer

The salesforce estimation method is a qualitative method of sales forecasting as it relies on the subjective judgment and experience of the sales team rather than numerical data.

Question 8

The two broad types of sales forecasting methods are ________.

Accepted Answer

The two broad types of sales forecasting methods are qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative methods involve subjective judgments and opinions, such as expert opinions, consumer surveys, and Delphi methods. On the other hand, quantitative methods involve statistical and mathematical models, such as time series analysis, regression analysis, and econometric modeling.

Question 9

The two most important planning tools are ________.

Accepted Answer

Forecasting helps a business predict future demand and plan accordingly, while scheduling helps to allocate resources and plan production or service delivery in a timely and efficient manner. Together, these two tools enable a business to plan for both short-term and long-term success. Option B (forecasting and routing) could also be a valid answer, as routing can help businesses optimize their transportation and delivery operations based on forecasted demand. However, scheduling is generally considered to be a more essential planning tool. Options C, D, and E all include important planning activities, but are not as critical as forecasting and scheduling.

Question 10

Planning for plant facilities and human resources are instances of ________.

Accepted Answer

Planning for plant facilities and human resources are examples of input planning, which is focused on determining what resources (inputs) are needed for the production process. The other options listed are not directly related to this type of planning.

Question 11

Which of the following is considered the key organizational forecast?

Accepted Answer

Sales forecasting is considered the key organizational forecast as it directly impacts a business's financial performance and helps in making important decisions such as production planning, inventory management, and budget allocation.

Question 12

BBM Inc. is a consumer electronics giant based in the U.S. Unlike most of its competitors, the company recently chose to set up its manufacturing unit in Finland instead of China. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen this decision?

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that consumers have a negative perception of goods that are manufactured in China.

Question 13

Before zeroing in on the new site, the management of a company decided to check whether there were good schools which the children of their employees' could attend. The company was trying to check out the ________ of the new site.

Accepted Answer

The company is concerned with the living condition, specifically the availability of good schools, which is a factor in determining the quality of life for employees and their families at the new site.

Question 14

________ is the process of development of proposed action that will furnish sufficient and appropriate organizational resources for reaching established organizational objectives.

Accepted Answer

Input planning is the process of developing proposed actions that will furnish sufficient and appropriate organizational resources for reaching established organizational objectives.

Question 15

In the human resource planning process, after determining the human resource requirements, managers should ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the human resource planning process, after...

Question 16

________ is the process of predicting future environmental happenings that will influence the operation of the organization.

Accepted Answer

Forecasting involves using analytical or statistical methods to predict future events or trends, which can be used by organizations to plan and prepare for potential changes in the operating environment. Scheduling, routing, controlling, and designing are all important aspects of organizational management, but are not specifically related to predicting future environmental happenings.

Question 17

Programs and budgets are ________.

Accepted Answer

Programs and budgets are typically created for a specific purpose and timeframe, making them single-use plans rather than standing plans (A), policies (B), or procedures (D). They also do not necessarily dictate specific actions or behaviors, making them distinct from rules (E).

Question 18

A ________ is a single-use financial plan that covers a specified length of time.

Accepted Answer

A budget is a financial plan that outlines expected expenses and revenues for a given period (usually one year). It is a single-use plan as it covers a specific timeframe and needs to be updated for each new period. Policies, procedures, and rules are broader and more long-term in nature, while programs are ongoing initiatives with a specific goal or objective.

Question 19

Which of the following is a quantitative method of sales forecasting?

Accepted Answer

Product stages involve analyzing historical sales data and trends quantitatively to forecast future sales, making it a quantitative method.

Question 20

Which of the following will lead to the failure of a plan?

Accepted Answer

Attempting too much at once can overwhelm the planning process and lead to failure, as it becomes difficult to manage resources and achieve all goals simultaneously. The other choices all contribute to the success of the planning process.

Quiz 10: Plans and Planning Tools