Question 1

When the CEO of Tasty Coffee and Bakery dictated that all company districts needed to increase their profitability,district managers across the country focused on improving customer service ratings in their stores by offering customer service training.This goal by the district managers of customer service ratings is an example of a tactical goal.

Accepted Answer

Tactical goals are set by and for middle managers and focus on the actions needed to achieve strategic goals.

Question 2

Like planning,goals are arranged in a hierarchy known as a means-end chain because in the chain of management,the accomplishment of high-level goals is the means leading to the accomplishment of low-level goals or ends.

Accepted Answer

Goals are arranged in a hierarchy known as a means-end chain because in the chain of management,the accomplishment of low-level goals is the means leading to the accomplishment of high-level goals or ends.

Question 3

The production plant for Ace Manufacturing has been located in the same place for over 100 years.It has just completed its new factory,which includes its new corporate offices.The planning required for moving of Ace into a new facility is a single-use plan.

Accepted Answer

A program is a single-use plan encompassing a range of projects or activities.For example,the U.S.government space program had several projects,including the space shuttle project and the Hubble Telescope project.

Question 4

The way a particular problem or circumstance is handled,such as the company policy of always returning customer phone calls and e-mails within 24 hours,is a standard operating procedure.

Accepted Answer

A procedure (or standard operating procedure)is a standing plan that outlines the response to particular problems or circumstances.

Question 5

A SMART goal is one that is specific,multidimensional,accurate,and results-oriented,and has target dates.

Accepted Answer

The five characteristics of a good goal are represented by the acronym SMART.A SMART goal is one that is Specific,Measurable,Attainable,Results-oriented,and has Target dates.

Question 6

Paula is the store manager for a national grocery retailer,and she received the yearly tactical plan from Greg,her district manager.Paula is meeting with her department managers to plan how to implement the specific tasks outlined in Greg's plan for the next year.This type of planning by Paula is operational planning.

Accepted Answer

Middle managers pass along their tactical plans to first-line managers to do operational planning,whereas first-line managers determine how to accomplish specific tasks with available resources within the next 1 to 52 weeks.

Question 7

When setting a SMART goal,it should be results-oriented.

Accepted Answer

The five characteristics of a good goal are represented by the acronym SMART.A SMART goal is one that is Specific,Measurable,Attainable,Results-oriented,and has Target dates.

Question 8

Strategic goals concentrate on objectives for handling competition and the competitive environment.

Accepted Answer

Strategic goals are set by and for top management and focus on objectives for the organization as a whole.

Question 9

Corporate has decided that each of the store managers needs to develop clear goals for next year on how to increase revenue,cash flow,and market share.Geoff,like the other store managers,is also required to develop a specific plan of action on how he plans to accomplish these objectives in his local market.This is an example of an operating plan.

Accepted Answer

The goal should be followed by an action plan,which defines the course of action needed to achieve the stated goal,such as a marketing plan or sales plan.The operating plan,which is typically designed for a 1-year period,defines how you will conduct your business based on the action plan;it identifies clear targets such as revenues,cash flow,and market share.

Question 10

Standing plans are plans developed for activities that occur repeatedly over a period of time.

Accepted Answer

Standing plans are plans developed for activities that occur repeatedly over a period of time and consist of policies,procedures,and rules.

Question 11

Tactical goals,a type of strategic goal,are determined by and for nonmanagerial employees as part of the MBO process to help employees achieve organizational goals.

Accepted Answer

Tactical goals are set by and for middle managers and focus on the actions needed to achieve strategic goals.Strategic goals are set by and for top management and focus on objectives for the organization as a whole.

Question 12

Alison,the vice president of marketing for a global company,is planning what contributions she and her department will make to the organization over the next 24 months.This type of planning is operational planning.

Accepted Answer

Tactical planning is determining what contributions middle managers and their departments or similar work units can make with their given resources during the next 6 to 24 months.

Question 13

When Donna asked her sales representatives for their sales goals for the year,Al,one of her salespeople,said,"I am going to sell more copiers next year than this year." Donna's response to Al was,"Specifically,how many copiers do you plan on selling?" Al replied,"I'm going to sell 90 copiers." Al's specific answer is an example of a SMART goal.

Accepted Answer

A SMART goal is one that is Specific,Measurable,Attainable,Results-oriented,and has Target dates.The example is not measurable.

Question 14

Peter,the night supervisor in a fast-food restaurant,was given the responsibility by Mr.Jones,the general manager,of planning a number of the normal daily tasks by his workers over the next 3 months.This type of planning by Peter is known as operational planning.

Accepted Answer

According to Figure 5.3,operational planning helps direct daily tasks of nonmanagerial personnel,and decisions are often predictable,following a well-defined set of routine procedures.

Question 15

Jerome's Italian Pizza is in a very competitive industry,and its upper management believes that by focusing on the strategy of lowering costs and prices,providing quicker delivery,and providing good customer service,this will result in higher profits.This is an example of a strategic goal.

Accepted Answer

Strategic goals are set by and for top management and focus on objectives for the organization as a whole.For example,top managers of Dallas-based Southwest Airlines ensure that the airline is highly profitable by following the general strategy of (1)keeping costs and fares down, (2)offering a superior on-time arrival record,and (3)keeping customers happy.

Question 16

Tom,the store manager in a hardware store,routinely sets specific sales and cost targets for his store,which he promises to achieve in a certain period of time.These specific objectives are known as goals.

Accepted Answer

A goal,also known as an objective,is a specific commitment to achieve a measurable result within a stated period of time.

Question 17

Single-use plans are plans developed for activities that are not likely to be repeated in the future.

Accepted Answer

Single-use plans are plans developed for activities that are not likely to be repeated in the future.

Question 18

Donna,the sales manager,asked Al,one of her sales representatives,"Why did you set next year's sales goal at only 90 copiers? This year you are on track to sell 85 copiers,and I believe with your ability,selling 120 copiers would be challenging,but I believe it is realistic and possible." Donna's belief about setting a challenging,yet realistic and attainable goal for Al is an example of a SMART goal.

Accepted Answer

A SMART goal is one that is Specific,Measurable,Attainable,Results-oriented,and has Target dates.Goals should be challenging,of course,but above all they should be realistic and attainable.It may be best to set goals that are quite ambitious to challenge people to meet high standards.Always,however,the goals should be achievable within the scope of the time,equipment,and financial support available.

Question 19

Tactical planning is a type of operational planning done by upper management.

Accepted Answer

Middle managers do tactical planning where they determine what contributions their departments or similar work units can make with their given resources during the next 6 to 24 months.Operational planning is done by first-line management,and upper management does strategic planning.

Question 20

When employees are hired by ABC Industries,the HR manager tells all new hires that their workplace does not allow swearing or dirty jokes.This specific detail is an example of a policy.

Accepted Answer

A rule is a standing plan that designates specific required action.A policy is a standing plan that outlines the general response to a designated problem or situation with few specifics.

Quiz 5: Planning: The Foundation of Successful Management

Like planning,goals are arranged in a hierarchy known as a means-end chain because in the chain of management,the accomplishment of high-level goals is the means leading to the accomplishment of low-level goals or ends.

The production plant for Ace Manufacturing has been located in the same place for over 100 years.It has just completed its new factory,which includes its new corporate offices.The planning required for moving of Ace into a new facility is a single-use plan.

The way a particular problem or circumstance is handled,such as the company policy of always returning customer phone calls and e-mails within 24 hours,is a standard operating procedure.

A SMART goal is one that is specific,multidimensional,accurate,and results-oriented,and has target dates.

When setting a SMART goal,it should be results-oriented.

Strategic goals concentrate on objectives for handling competition and the competitive environment.

Standing plans are plans developed for activities that occur repeatedly over a period of time.

Tactical goals,a type of strategic goal,are determined by and for nonmanagerial employees as part of the MBO process to help employees achieve organizational goals.

Alison,the vice president of marketing for a global company,is planning what contributions she and her department will make to the organization over the next 24 months.This type of planning is operational planning.

Peter,the night supervisor in a fast-food restaurant,was given the responsibility by Mr.Jones,the general manager,of planning a number of the normal daily tasks by his workers over the next 3 months.This type of planning by Peter is known as operational planning.

Jerome's Italian Pizza is in a very competitive industry,and its upper management believes that by focusing on the strategy of lowering costs and prices,providing quicker delivery,and providing good customer service,this will result in higher profits.This is an example of a strategic goal.

Tom,the store manager in a hardware store,routinely sets specific sales and cost targets for his store,which he promises to achieve in a certain period of time.These specific objectives are known as goals.

Single-use plans are plans developed for activities that are not likely to be repeated in the future.

Tactical planning is a type of operational planning done by upper management.

When employees are hired by ABC Industries,the HR manager tells all new hires that their workplace does not allow swearing or dirty jokes.This specific detail is an example of a policy.