What provides a framework for the future and acts as a blueprint for control in an organization?

Planning provides a framework for the future and acts as a blueprint for control in an organization because it involves setting objectives and determining a course of action for achieving those goals. Through the planning process, managers analyze the current situation, forecast future conditions, and decide on the best strategies to reach their objectives. This foresight allows organizations to align their resources and activities effectively, ensuring that all parts of the organization are moving in the same direction towards the established goals.

Planning also helps in establishing performance standards, which are essential for control processes. By having a clear plan in place, managers can measure actual performance against the planned objectives and make adjustments as necessary to stay on track. This close relationship between planning and controlling illustrates how planning serves as a guiding framework that ensures organizational efficiency and effectiveness.