Question 1

MBO programs use goals to ________ employees rather than to ________ them.

Accepted Answer

MBO (Management by Objectives) programs are designed to motivate employees by setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals that align with the company's overall mission and values. The goals are used to inspire employees to perform at their best by creating a sense of ownership, responsibility, and pride in their work. Control is not the primary focus of MBO programs, although progress toward goals can be monitored and evaluated to ensure that everyone is on track.

Question 2

Increasingly in today's world of innovative entrepreneurs we see goals that may not be realistic.These goals are ________.

Accepted Answer

Stretch goals are goals that are challenging and may be above and beyond what might seem realistic, but they are still achievable with effort and determination. They are often used to encourage innovation and push individuals or organizations to reach their full potential.

Question 3

In a typical MBO program,________.

Accepted Answer

In a typical MBO (Management by Objectives) program, progress is periodically reviewed. This involves regular check-ins on the progress towards achieving the objectives set by both the management and the employees. The goals and objectives are not only determined by management but also by the employees themselves. Additionally, the goals are used not just as controls but also as a means of motivating employees by setting clear expectations and targets. Goals are reviewed throughout the program to ensure that progress is being made towards their achievement.

Question 4

Studies of actual MBO programs confirm that MBO ________ employee performance and organizational productivity.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that implementing MBO programs can lead to an increase in employee performance and organizational productivity. This is because MBO involves setting achievable goals and regularly tracking progress towards those goals, which can motivate employees and improve their focus on important tasks. Additionally, MBO can create a clearer sense of purpose and direction for the organization as a whole, leading to more efficient and effective operations. Therefore, the correct choice is D - MBO increases employee performance and organizational productivity.

Question 5

In traditional goal setting,it is assumed that top managers know what's best because they ________.

Accepted Answer

Traditional goal setting assumes that top managers see the "big picture" for the company, which means that they have a comprehensive understanding of the organization's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This assumption implies that top managers have the necessary knowledge and expertise to make informed decisions about the company's goals and strategies. However, this assumption can be flawed because it overlooks the importance of involving other stakeholders, such as employees and customers, in the goal-setting process.

Question 6

The standard procedure to be followed by the human resources department of a company when initiating disciplinary action against an employee is an example of a standing plan.

Accepted Answer

A standing plan refers to a predetermined course of action to be followed in a particular situation or type of situation. The HR department's standard procedure for handling disciplinary action is an example of a standing plan as it is a pre-established process for dealing with a specific type of situation.

Question 7

Which of the following goals is most appropriate for an MBO program?

Accepted Answer

MBO (Management by Objectives) programs are best suited for setting specific and measurable goals that are attainable within a certain time frame. Option C is the most specific and measurable goal that is achievable in a specific time frame, making it the most appropriate choice for an MBO program. Options A and D are also measurable goals, but they are not as specific and may not be achievable within a short time frame. Option B is not a specific goal that can be measured, making it inappropriate for an MBO program.

Question 8

An integrated network of goals is sometimes called a means-ends chain.

Accepted Answer

An integrated network of goals is indeed called a means-ends chain, as it links together multiple goals that are necessary to achieve a larger objective or ultimate end goal. This concept is commonly applied in the world of business and project management, as it helps individuals and teams to stay focused on the bigger picture and the steps required to reach it.

Question 9

Bill has been working on his assigned plan for about three months.He is now discussing his progress with Jim,his supervisor.If Bill and Jim are using the MBO planning process,this discussion is called ________.

Accepted Answer

The discussion between Bill and Jim about Bill's progress is called performance feedback in the MBO (Management by Objectives) planning process. This is a crucial step in which the supervisor provides feedback to the employee regarding their progress towards meeting their goals and objectives. This feedback helps the employee to understand how well they are performing and what changes they may need to make to stay on track.

Question 10

In the traditional approach to planning,planning is done entirely by top-level managers who are often assisted by ________.

Accepted Answer

In the traditional approach to planning, top-level managers are often assisted by a group of planning specialists who help in the formulation and implementation of strategic plans.

Question 11

Stretch goals are goals that ________.

Accepted Answer

Stretch goals are designed to be challenging and somewhat unrealistic to push teams and individuals to extend beyond their normal capacity and achieve extraordinary results. They are not necessarily long-term, related to environmental uncertainty, or spanning organizational hierarchy.

Question 12

An organization is in the process of goal setting.It has finished reviewing the mission statement.What should it do next?

Accepted Answer

The answer of An organization is in the process of...

Question 13

Rachel makes $80,000 a year as an accountant.Based on her income,she is trying to figure out how she can build an investment portfolio worth $1 million by the time she retires.Rachel is at which step of the goal-setting process?

Accepted Answer

Rachel is currently evaluating her available resources (her income) to determine if it is sufficient to reach her goal of a $1 million investment portfolio by retirement. This is the first step in the goal-setting process.

Question 14

Which of the following is the first step in the goal-setting process?

Accepted Answer

The first step in the goal-setting process is reviewing the organization's mission, as this provides guidance for setting specific and relevant goals. Evaluating available resources comes next as it allows for realistic goal-setting. Determining the goals individually or with input from others and writing them down and communicating them are both important steps, but they come after reviewing the mission and evaluating resources.

Question 15

A well-designed goal should be ________ but ________.

Accepted Answer

A well-designed goal should be challenging, which will motivate individuals to strive towards its achievement, but it must also be attainable or realistic within a given time frame, or else it may lead to demotivation and failure. Communication of the goal is also crucial, but it should be written down or recorded somewhere to ensure that all individuals involved have a clear understanding of the goal and what needs to be done to achieve it. Writing goals in terms of actions rather than outcomes is also helpful in ensuring that individuals focus on the steps needed to achieve the goal rather than just the end result. Lastly, quantifying the goal and having a specific time frame is important to measure progress and determine whether the goal has been achieved or not, but allowing for flexibility in the time frame can also account for unforeseen obstacles or circumstances.

Question 16

When the hierarchy of organizational goals is clearly defined,it forms an integrated network of goals called a ________ chain.

Accepted Answer

A means-ends chain is a hierarchical network of goals in which lower-level goals (the means) contribute to the accomplishment of higher-level goals (the ends). This creates a clearly defined hierarchy of goals and helps ensure that everyone within the organization is working towards the same overall objectives.

Question 17

A ________ is a broad statement of an organization's purpose that provides an overall guide to what organizational members think is important.

Accepted Answer

A mission statement is a broad statement that provides an overall guide to what the organization considers important. It outlines the organization's purpose and primary objectives. Plans are detailed strategies or steps to achieve specific goals. A proposal is a written offer or suggestion to provide a product or service. A goal is a specific, measurable objective that an organization aims to achieve.

Question 18

Management by objectives (MBO)is a management system in which specific performance goals are ________.

Accepted Answer

MBO involves joint determination of performance goals between employees and their managers, rather than top-down delegation or employee-only self-direction. Therefore, the correct answer is A.

Question 19

In traditional goal setting,what happens to goals as they make their way down from top management to lower levels?

Accepted Answer

As goals move down from top management to lower levels, they tend to lose clarity and unity because of misunderstandings or misinterpretations. This is because the communication process may not be effective between top management and lower levels.

Question 20

With traditional goal setting,employees' work efforts at their respective levels and work areas are geared to meet the goals ________

Accepted Answer

Traditional goal setting involves assigning specific goals to employees based on their areas of responsibility. The focus is on achieving these goals rather than management retention or resource efficiency.

Quiz 9: Foundations of Planning

MBO programs use goals to employees rather than to them.