Step 1: Meaning of planning.
Planning is the process of deciding in advance what is to be done, when, how, and by whom.
Step 2: Characteristics of planning.
- Goal-oriented: Planning always aims to achieve organizational goals.
- Objective-oriented: Plans must align with specific objectives.
- Mental process: Planning is done by managers using judgment, forecasting, and analysis.
Step 3: Option analysis.
- (A) Goal-oriented: True, but only one aspect.
- (B) Objective-oriented: True, but incomplete.
- (C) Mental process: True, but not the whole definition.
- (D) All of these: Correct, planning has all these features.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Planning is goal-oriented, objective-oriented, and a mental process.