Final answer:
The manager of a local bakery who sets goals and develops a blueprint to achieve them is engaging in planning. This involves setting objectives and outlining the strategies required to meet those objectives, a key function in business management.
So option (A) is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the manager of a local bakery sets goals and then develops a blueprint for how to achieve them, she is engaging in planning. Planning involves setting objectives and outlining the steps or strategies necessary to achieve these objectives. This process is essential in business management as it provides direction and sets a course for future actions. The act of planning is distinguishable from other managerial functions such as staffing, which involves hiring and organizing personnel; delegating, which is the assignment of tasks to employees; organizing, which pertains to arranging resources and tasks to meet objectives; and monitoring, which is the evaluation of progress and making adjustments as needed.