“Failing to plan is planning to fail”, is the proverb that affect project planning. Based on this proverb you are required to answer the questions given below. For better understanding, please refer your textbook chapter-11 and answer accordingly.

QUESTION

Assignment Question(s): (Marks-10)

“Failing to plan is planning to fail”, is the proverb that affect project planning. Based on this proverb you are required to answer the questions given below. For better understanding, please refer your textbook chapter-11 and answer accordingly.

1. List few consequences, which arises due to poor planning, and explain them in your words. Give an example of any product, which failed, in the market due to poor planning. (2.5 Marks)

2. Do you think systematic planning help in setting goals and making decisions? Give reasons to support your answer by choosing any event (e.g. product launch, conducting exhibitions etc). (2.5 Marks)

3. Describe the above given proverb with an example based on your understanding. (2 Marks)

4. Identify the type of planning required to establish effective monitoring and controlling in the display of products in Supermarkets and explain the process with any example of your choice. (Refer Pg-413, Figure-11-1 for your understanding). (3 Marks)

ANSWER

Consequences of poor planning

Poor planning can lead to various negative consequences in project execution. Some of these consequences include

Missed deadlines: Inadequate planning often results in unrealistic timelines and insufficient allocation of resources, leading to missed project deadlines. This can result in delays, customer dissatisfaction, and potential financial losses. For example, the video game “Anthem” by Electronic Arts (EA) suffered from multiple delays and failed to meet the expectations of gamers due to poor planning and rushed development.

Cost overruns: Poor planning can lead to underestimation of project costs, resulting in budget overruns. This can strain the financial resources of the organization and impact the overall profitability. One example is the Airbus A380 project, which faced significant cost overruns due to poor planning, design changes, and production issues.

 Quality issues: Inadequate planning may neglect to define quality standards and processes, leading to poor product or service quality (Sun et al., 2009). This can result in customer dissatisfaction, negative brand reputation, and decreased market share. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphone faced a major quality issue due to poor planning and inadequate testing, resulting in the device’s battery explosions and subsequent recall.

Scope creep: Poor planning can lead to scope creep, where the project’s scope expands beyond the original objectives and requirements. This can cause confusion, increased project complexity, and difficulties in meeting deliverables. One example is the Channel Tunnel project between the UK and France, which experienced significant scope creep, resulting in cost overruns and delays.

 Systematic planning and goal setting

Yes, systematic planning plays a crucial role in setting goals and making informed decisions. It provides a structured approach to define objectives, allocate resources, and establish timelines. A well-planned process helps organizations align their efforts and resources towards achieving their desired outcomes (Hurn et al., 2006). 

For example, let’s consider the launch of a new product. Systematic planning involves conducting market research, analyzing customer needs and preferences, setting specific goals, creating a marketing strategy, and developing a product roadmap. This systematic approach ensures that all necessary steps are taken to meet customer expectations, optimize resource allocation, and make informed decisions throughout the product launch process. It also allows for better monitoring and control, enabling timely adjustments to ensure success.

Proverb explanation with an example

The proverb “Failing to plan is planning to fail” emphasizes the importance of proper planning in achieving desired outcomes. Without a well-thought-out plan, the chances of failure increase significantly.

For example, let’s consider a construction project. If the project manager fails to create a detailed plan outlining the timeline, resource requirements, and construction phases, there will likely be chaos and inefficiency. Without a plan, the workers may lack guidance, leading to delays, errors, and cost overruns. In contrast, with a thorough plan in place, the construction project can progress smoothly, with clear milestones, efficient resource allocation, and effective coordination among team members.

 Planning for effective monitoring and controlling in supermarket product displays

The type of planning required to establish effective monitoring and controlling in the display of products in supermarkets is operational planning (Zainuddin et al., 2021). 

Operational planning involves defining the specific actions, processes, and resources needed to achieve day-to-day operational goals. In the context of product displays in supermarkets, operational planning ensures that the products are arranged in an organized and visually appealing manner, maximizing customer engagement and sales.

The process of operational planning for product displays typically involves the following step

Defining display objectives: Determine the specific goals of the product display, such as promoting new products, increasing sales of specific items, or highlighting seasonal offers.

Allocating resources: Identify the necessary resources, including manpower, fixtures, signage, and promotional materials, required for the display.

 Designing the display layout: Create a visually appealing and logical arrangement of products, considering factors such as product categories, customer flow, and space utilization.

Merchandise selection: Choose the appropriate products to be included in the display, considering factors such as popularity, profitability, and customer demand.

 Monitoring and controlling: Regularly monitor the display to ensure it is well-maintained, restock products as needed, and make adjustments to optimize the display’s effectiveness based on sales data and customer feedback.

For example, imagine a supermarket planning a display for a new line of organic food products. The operational planning process would involve setting objectives to increase awareness and sales of these products. The supermarket would allocate resources such as attractive display fixtures, engaging signage, and trained staff to manage the display. They would design the layout to showcase the organic products prominently and create an appealing arrangement that draws customer attention. The display would be monitored regularly to ensure it remains well-stocked, clean, and visually appealing, with adjustments made based on sales performance. This systematic planning helps the supermarket effectively monitor and control the product display, leading to increased customer engagement and sales.

References

Hurn, J., Kneebone, I., & Cropley, M. (2006). Goal setting as an outcome measure: a systematic review. Clinical rehabilitation, 20(9), 756-772.https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0269215506070793 

Sun, M., & Meng, X. (2009). Taxonomy for change causes and effects in construction projects. International journal of project management, 27(6), 560-572.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0263786308001506

Zainuddin, A., Ridzwan, S. I., Ridzwan, S. B., & MUDA, M. (2021). Retail Halal Control Points–Which Control Process Can Be Applied Digitally. Romanian Journal of Information Technology and Automatic Control, 31(1), 41-52.https://rria.ici.ro/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/art._Zainuddin_Ridzwan_Muda.pdf