Which of the following is a characteristic of planning?

Option 1 -> It brings rigidity. This is a limitation of planning, not a characteristic. Rigidity may occur when plans become too inflexible.

Option 2 -> It increases the risk of uncertainty. This is incorrect. Planning actually aims to reduce uncertainty by anticipating future conditions and preparing for them.

Option 3 -> It involves decision making. Planning inherently requires making decisions about objectives, strategies, and courses of action to achieve organizational goals.

Option 4 -> It leads to redundant and overlapping activities. This is a consequence of poor planning, not a characteristic of planning. Effective planning should eliminate redundancy.

Hence, Option 3: It involves decision making -> Planning is fundamentally a decision-making process where managers select objectives, determine policies, procedures, and programs from various alternatives to achieve organizational goals. Decision making is an essential and inherent characteristic of the planning function -> correct