Final answer:
Planning is specifying the goals to be achieved and deciding in advance the appropriate actions needed to achieve those goals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Planning is specifying the goals to be achieved and deciding in advance the appropriate actions needed to achieve those goals. It is a crucial management function that helps organizations set objectives and determine how to reach them. The planning process involves setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals and creating action plans to guide the implementation.