Planning involves decision making: Planning essentially involves choice from among various alternatives and activities. If there is only one possible goal or a possible course of action, there is no need for planning because there is no choice. The need for planning arises only when alternatives are available. In actual practice, planning presupposes the existence of alternatives. Planning, thus, involves thorough examination and evaluation of each alternative and choosing the most appropriate one.

 Planning is futuristic: Planning essentially involves looking ahead and preparing for the future

 Planning is a mental exercise: Planning requires application of the mind involving foresight, intelligent imagination and sound judgement. 

 Planning involves decision making: Planning essentially involves choice from among various alternatives and activities.