Planning is the first and perhaps the most important function of management. the essence of planning is to prepare for and predict future events. Planning goes beyond attempting to attain stated organizational objectives. It involves the development of strategy and procedure required for effective realization of the entire plan.
It entails determination of control, direction and methods of accomplishing the overall organizational objective. Planning involves the establishment of objectives, strategies to achieve the objectives and a step by step determination of the activities and resources necessary to achieve them.