Planning involves deciding future actions, how and when to take them, and who will be involved. It is a goal-oriented, rational process that provides direction and guidelines. Effective planning focuses on objectives, offsets uncertainty, and increases organizational effectiveness through efficiency, coordination, and control. Plans can be strategic, tactical, or operational depending on their level, time frame, and scope. The planning process includes analyzing opportunities, setting objectives, identifying alternatives, evaluating options, selecting plans, implementing, and reviewing. Prerequisites for effective planning are setting the right climate, clear objectives, participation, communication, and integration of long- and short-term plans. Potential limitations include lack of information, resistance to change, and false sense of security