Fundamentals of Management 7th Edition by Ricky Griffin

Exercise 18

Exercise Overview
Interpersonal skills refer to the manager's ability to communicate with, understand, and motivate individuals and groups. Communication skills are used both to convey information to others effectively and to receive ideas and information effectively from others. Communicating and interacting effectively with many different types of individuals are essential planning skills. This exercise allows you to think through communication and interaction issues as they relate to an actual planning situation.
Exercise Background
Larger and more complex organizations require greater planning complexity to achieve their goals. NASA is responsible for the very complex task of managing U.S. space exploration and therefore has very complex planning needs.
In April 1970, NASA launched the Apollo 13 manned space mission, which was charged with exploration of the lunar surface. On its way to the moon, the ship developed a malfunction that could have resulted in the death of all the crew members. The crew members worked with scientists in Houston to develop a solution to the problem. The capsule was successful in returning to Earth, and no lives were lost.
Exercise Task
NASA managers and astronauts did not use a formal planning process in their approach to this situation. Why not? Is there any part of the formal planning process that could have been helpful? What does this example suggest to you about the advantages and limitations of the formal planning process?