Question

The CEO said, "Every six months or so, my senior management team and I meet to discuss the goals that will be achieved over the next year, three years, and beyond. We then make sure we are clear on who will take responsibility to see that appropriate actions are undertaken to achieve our goals within the time frame we set." The CEO is describing the management function of

A) planning.
B) organizing.
C) leading.
D) controlling.
E) decision making.

Answer 1

The CEO's focus on setting future objectives and assigning responsibilities for achieving these goals is indicative of the management function of planning.

Step-by-step explanation:

The CEO is describing the management function of planning. Planning involves setting objectives for the future, deciding on the tasks and use of resources needed to attain these objectives. This includes setting goals to be achieved over various time horizons (next year, in three years, and beyond) and clarifying roles and responsibilities to ensure that appropriate actions are taken within the set time frame.

Understanding organizational structure and knowing whom to go for answers and approvals is part of the organizing function, but this is not what the CEO mainly describes. The emphasis on goal-setting, deciding on future courses of action, and determining who is responsible for what part of the plan distinguishes planning from organizing, leading, controlling, and decision-making.