This project introduces
planning as an important tool to management of small-scale business with a case
study of PETER
VENTURE.  It is located at No. 6 Isiokpo Awada Layout, Onitsha
– Anambra State. This venture deals on production of plastics of various kinds.
Emphasis is placed on planning as important tools to the management of
small-scale business. Upon completing this project one should be able to
describe the importance of planning and why it is needed in a small-scale
business and should understand managerial task in planning. Planning, being one
of the functions is very necessary to the survival of any business. Planning
includes the forecasting and selecting of Objectives with policies, programme
and procedures for achieving their business goals. It involves making decision,
it helps small-scale business to grow, and it embraces all the activities which
a company undertakes to determine the type of products it will produce/market.
It is normally undertaken to determine the present and further requirement of
customers, which involves goods and services for their satisfaction
(customers). Tools used in planning involve
collection of data by coding, tabulating, charting and discussing them in an
orderly manner in other to bring out their meaning clearly by analyzing data
collected.

PROBLEM
ASSOCIATED WITH THE SUBJECT MATTER

Planning is an
intellectually demanding process, it requires the conscious determination of
course of action, and the basic decision on purpose, knowledge and considered
estimates.Projects have failed in most business enterprises such as small scale
as a result of inadequate plans being made and all variables like to affect the
business, not adequate controlled. Planning should consider some factors in the
environment, which will help or hinder the organization in achieving its goals.
They should take account of existing organization and provide for control, so
performance can be checked with established standards. It focuses on action and
purpose, which forecasts actions and tends towards the ultimate goals and not
those irrelevant ones. Small scale business management planning seeks to
achieve a consistent, coordinated structure of operation focused and desired
ends. So without planning action produces nothing but
chaos.   One main features of planning is to make a decision.
This will involve assumptions about the future and about many variable factors
usually dealt with in the decision making process.Many persons may be involved
in planning activities, which must be continuous process, but the main point is
that these activities must produce a specific plan, without which plans,
planning activities have no real effect.

1.2
PROBLEMS THAT THE STUDY WILL BE CONCERNED WITH

Planning being an important
tool to small-scale business requires the business enterprise to determine its
long-term survival based on finding the most profitable way to allocated
limited resources among competing ends. Labour hours to such values as how
satisfied individuals and groups in the business of small-scale management.The
higher up the hierarchy of management the more attention is paid to planning,
particularly in setting out goals and strategies for long period ahead.
Managers lower in the hierarchy usually deal with sections of the total plan,
and are concerned with shorter periods of time. Efficiency of planning is measured
by the amount it contributes to purpose and objectives, as offsets by costing
and unsought required formulating and operating it. The most important way
management can contribute to growth is by systematic planning probabilities are
forecast and programmes developed to take advantage of them. Consistent
attention must be given to changing circumstances and many revisions of plans
may be needed.

Items affecting forecasting
are as follows:- Political stability, Population trends, Price levels, government
control and fiscal policy, employment, productivity and national income,
technical environment. Some areas have shown great changes such as computer.
Its impact and speed development must be especially noted.

 A Simple Cycle Of
Business Plan Activity Can Run Thus:

Planning cycle.

FORECAST PLANS 

 The diagram above
shows how planning of small-scale business an important tool to the production
and distribution to customers.

1.3
THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING THE SUBJECT AREA

 It is of great importance to studying the area
of small scale business planning. In planning for longer periods, a forecast of
technological changes is vital especially for those companies, which are in
area rapidly advancing technology. For an organizational point of view
companies have separated the basic day-to-day planning activity from a
strategic planning for the future.Job is not so rigidly defined as in a large
organization and there is more flexibility between jobs. There will be less
formality than in larger organizations. Decision-making will be quicker and
rules and procedures less rigid, which are usually, based on planning.The size
of the outdoor staff depends upon many factors, particularly the method of
production. Geographical size of the territory usually depends upon the physical
nature of the product and services. Work must be planned, so that mechanical
gadgets and equipment, raw material are effectively utilized. For efficient
production of products (plastics) customer’s demand and buying patterns,
factory locations production capacity are applied based on planning and
techniques simulation. In forecasting it is important to stress the need to
examine the economic environment and possible fluctuations in company profits
and relations to possible cycles of business activity.

1.4
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY