1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
Planning is one of the functions of administration. It is the process of laying foundation for future action. Planning is the act of determining administration objectives and efforts and determining means to achieve those objectives, in the other hand, planning is defined as deciding in advanced things that need to be done and need to achieve those objectives.
To plan is to act with purpose to choose and choice is the essence of economic activity therefore many organization plan in other to take advantage of environmental opportunities and minimize the impact of environment waste. Planning allows organization to shape its own destiny.
The history of Owerri North Local Government as my case study started in October 1st 1996 when the head of state general Sani Abacha created additional states and local government which increased the number of local government in Nigeria from 521 to 774. The first chairman of the local government is Chief Anthony Ihedoro who hails from Emekuku's during the transitional programme to Godian rule by general Sani Abacha in 1997/1998 five political parties contested which includes United Nigeria congress party “UNCD” Democratic party of Nigeria “DPN” grassroots democratic movement “GAM” committee for national consensus “CNC” and national center party of Nigeria “NCPN” but among all these political parties “UNCP” produced the first chairman for the local government which has 16 wards is represented by a councilor each. Owerri North Local Government area is one of the twenty eight local government in Imo State which has large land mass and about 900,000 in population. Its headquarter is located at Orie Uratta since its inception.
It has experienced four 4 different chairman both as intern and permanent chairman. The researcher interest of this topic is to examine the importance of planning in an organization like Owerri north local government area, the effect of lack of good planning in order to attain organizational goal and best step to be used in planning techniques.
The local government has encountered problems of incompetent staff which may arise during recruitment and placement inadequate fund may equally hinder the functioning conflict because each department authority of responsibility assigned to them, also costs will be measured since emphasis is usually on efficient operation and consistency.
Adequate and competent personnel should put in place in several department there should be mass, we co-operation between those who prepare the plan and those who implement it. The government should also support organization of giving them adequate manpower and makes funds available them.
1.2 Statement of Problem
This study entitled the importance of planning in attainment of organizational goals a study of Owerri North Local Government areas attempt to examine and elaborates the problems of planning in the public service and they includes
- There is the problem of effective implementation of policies.
- This effective policy implementation seems to portray Owerri north local government as knowing the importance of planning in an organization.
- As a result these is improper co-ordination of plan of activities in the local government
1.3 Objective of the Study
This research is motivated by the importance of planning and how it has been solving organizational problem the research question of this study includes:
- To know whether planning can assist in attaining organizational goal in the local government.
- To find out the importance of planning in the public service.
- To make useful suggestion based on the research findings.
- To study and understand the internal and external problems which influence planning techniques.
1.4 Statement of Hypothesis
Hi: Does effective planning ensure a sound moral check on staff and organization as a whole?
Ho: An effective planning does not enhance the realization of objectives in the public services.
Hi: Planning ahead can lessen the likely problems that an organization may face in the public services.
Ho: Planning ahead cannot lessen the likely problems that an organization may face in the public service
1.5 Significance of the Study
The study is important because planning has helped various organizations to set out objectives and strategy that guide all other groups in an organization. It also reduces the role of ambiguity and conflict within an organization the entire country at large benefit from effective planning because it encourages national development achieve industrialization economy and helps the researcher to understand the working of the capitalist economy.
Problems were also encountered in the process of distributing and collecting the questionnaires. These were redtapism, unnecessary bureaucracy, high transportation fare etc.
Much of the time was wasted conducting personal interview simply because of lack of commitment and punctuality to work by staff.
1.6 Scope of the Study
The scope of this study is basically focused on the importance of planning in attainment of organizational goal. The researcher made an indebt research and examination/evaluation on those planning elements that necessitate the smooth and effective actualization of the goal of Owerri north local government area.
1.7 Limitation of the Study
During the course of carrying out this research project a lot of hindrances were encountered. These includes time and financial constraints, also steps from the schools academic system which requires that a person conducting a research should also attend lectures and write exams. It therefore posted a very big problem because exams period conflicted with the office period when one is suppose to conduct relevant data for project work.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Planning:
Is deciding in advance what you want to do and how to do it.
Organization:
Is a combination of people efforts working together in pursuit of certain common purpose called organizational goal.
Public Service:
Means that service of the state in respect of government official that provides the people in general or in a particular society.
Importance:
The degree something has value or effects on people or organization
Goal:
Something an individual hope to achieve.
Local Government:
Means the third tier of government that brings leadership nearer to the people and that provides social amenities to the rural dwellers.
