Planning serves to use human and physical resources to their potential. Planning how best to use a firm’s material, capital, and human resources is essential. Supervisors must plan for the efficient use of the department’s space and major physical resources. Such planning may include close coordination with the maintenance department and/or other staff.

A major problem has been the loss and theft of materials, supplies, merchandise, data, and other company property. Supervisors must ensure that adequate security precautions are taken to discourage individuals from misusing or stealing items. Issues with Internet freedom and easy access have led to many breaches of security, identity theft, and misinformation being posted.

Supervisors should have a general understanding of all safety requirements. Safety committees and safety programs help planning initiatives and bring about safe work environments.

Planning for the full use of employees is at the core of professional supervision. Planning work schedules for employees includes establishing reasonable performance requirements and anticipating overtime requirements and absences. Many organizations are experimenting with various types of alternative, part-time, and temporary work schedules.

Time is one of the supervisor’s most valued resources. Everybody has the same amount of it, so time is not the problem; the problem is how we use it. Therefore, supervisors must plan and manage their own time if they are to be effective.

Supervisors wanting to improve work procedures and methods should continuously look for more efficient ways to achieve their objectives. Encouraging employees to look for better ways to do their jobs and evaluating periodic work samples may result in substantial savings for the organization.

Supervisors can use JIT inventory control systems to reduce inventory costs and ensure that materials and components arrive when needed. Gantt charts and PERT networks are graphic tools designed to aid supervisors in planning, organizing, and controlling operations. G=9687