WGU C201 | BUSINESS ACUMEN |
CHAPTER 7 EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026
The achievement of organizational objectives through the use of people and other
resources. The skills and principles of management apply in both profit and not-for-profit
organizations. - ANSWERSManagement
______ has three levels: top, middle, and supervisory management. Top management
sets the long-term direction, vision, and values of the organization. Middle managers
focus on specific operations, products, or customer groups and implement strategic
plans. Supervisory managers are responsible for assigning non-managerial employees
to specific jobs and evaluating performance. - ANSWERSThe management hierarchy
Successful managers should possess _____ , _____ , and _____skills. _____ skills
include the ability to understand and use the knowledge and tools of a specific discipline
or activity. _____ skills are the interpersonal skills managers need to motivate and lead
employees to accomplish identified objectives. _____ skills, needed especially by top
managers, involve the ability to see the big picture by acquiring, analyzing, and
interpreting information. - ANSWERStechnical, human, and conceptual
Managers in any organization must perform the essential functions of _____ ,_____ ,
_____ , and _____. _____ is the process of anticipating future events and conditions
and determining courses of action for achieving organizational objectives. _____ is the
process of blending human and material resources through a formal structure of tasks
and authority. Guiding and motivating employees to accomplish organizational
objectives is called _____. _____ is the function of evaluating an organization's
performance against its objective. - ANSWERSplanning, organizing, directing, and
controlling
A perception of marketplace needs and the methods by which an organization can
satisfy them. It serves as the target for a firm's actions, helping direct the company
toward opportunities and differentiating it from competitors. - ANSWERSVision
These values are set by top managers, who must focus on the organization's long-term
success, not merely short-term profits or personal gain. - ANSWERSEthical standards
The four types of plans used by contemporary organizations are _____ , _____ ,
_____ , and _____ plans. _____ plans set primary objectives and strategies for how to
allocate resources to achieve them. _____ plans involve implementing the activities
specified by the strategic plan. _____ plans create detailed standards that guide
implementation of tactical plans. _____ planning allows a firm to quickly resume
, operations and communications with the public after a crisis. - ANSWERSstrategic,
tactical, operational, and contingency
Top managers specialize in organizational objectives and long-term plans. Middle
managers focus on short-term plans, and develop the organization's policies and
procedures. Supervisory managers set daily and weekly plans, rules, and specific
activities for each department. Contingency planning is led by top management, but all
levels of management participate. - ANSWERSPlanning at different organizational
levels
The _____ is a written explanation of an organization's business intentions and aims. -
ANSWERSmission statement
The firm must evaluate its current and potential position in the marketplace. _____ is
often used in this phase of strategic planning to assess the strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities, and threats. - ANSWERSSWOT analysis
_____ are guideposts by which managers define the organization's desired
performance in such areas as new product development, sales, customer service,
growth, environmental and social responsibility, and employee satisfaction. -
ANSWERSObjectives
Organizations can combine unique abilities and resources such as product innovation,
technology, and employee motivation to achieve the unique blend that sets it apart from
its competitors. - ANSWERScompetitive differentiation
Managers, often middle managers and supervisors, put the plan into action. Generally,
when top managers empower middle management, the company reaps the benefits. -
ANSWERSImplementing the strategy
The final step in the strategic planning process is to monitor and adapt plans when the
actual performance fails to meet goals. Monitoring involves securing feedback about
performance. Managers might compare actual sales against forecasts or compile
information from surveys. - ANSWERSMonitoring and adapting strategic plans
A programmed decision involves simple, common, and frequently occurring problems
for which solutions have already been determined. A nonprogrammed decision involves
a complex and unique problem or opportunity with important consequences for the
organization. - ANSWERSProgrammed and non-programmed decisions
This process begins when someone recognizes a problem or opportunity and develops
possible courses of action. Next, is the evaluation of alternatives, followed by the
selection and implementation of one of the alternatives. The last step is an assessment
of the outcome. - ANSWERSHow managers make decisions
CHAPTER 7 EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026
The achievement of organizational objectives through the use of people and other
resources. The skills and principles of management apply in both profit and not-for-profit
organizations. - ANSWERSManagement
______ has three levels: top, middle, and supervisory management. Top management
sets the long-term direction, vision, and values of the organization. Middle managers
focus on specific operations, products, or customer groups and implement strategic
plans. Supervisory managers are responsible for assigning non-managerial employees
to specific jobs and evaluating performance. - ANSWERSThe management hierarchy
Successful managers should possess _____ , _____ , and _____skills. _____ skills
include the ability to understand and use the knowledge and tools of a specific discipline
or activity. _____ skills are the interpersonal skills managers need to motivate and lead
employees to accomplish identified objectives. _____ skills, needed especially by top
managers, involve the ability to see the big picture by acquiring, analyzing, and
interpreting information. - ANSWERStechnical, human, and conceptual
Managers in any organization must perform the essential functions of _____ ,_____ ,
_____ , and _____. _____ is the process of anticipating future events and conditions
and determining courses of action for achieving organizational objectives. _____ is the
process of blending human and material resources through a formal structure of tasks
and authority. Guiding and motivating employees to accomplish organizational
objectives is called _____. _____ is the function of evaluating an organization's
performance against its objective. - ANSWERSplanning, organizing, directing, and
controlling
A perception of marketplace needs and the methods by which an organization can
satisfy them. It serves as the target for a firm's actions, helping direct the company
toward opportunities and differentiating it from competitors. - ANSWERSVision
These values are set by top managers, who must focus on the organization's long-term
success, not merely short-term profits or personal gain. - ANSWERSEthical standards
The four types of plans used by contemporary organizations are _____ , _____ ,
_____ , and _____ plans. _____ plans set primary objectives and strategies for how to
allocate resources to achieve them. _____ plans involve implementing the activities
specified by the strategic plan. _____ plans create detailed standards that guide
implementation of tactical plans. _____ planning allows a firm to quickly resume
, operations and communications with the public after a crisis. - ANSWERSstrategic,
tactical, operational, and contingency
Top managers specialize in organizational objectives and long-term plans. Middle
managers focus on short-term plans, and develop the organization's policies and
procedures. Supervisory managers set daily and weekly plans, rules, and specific
activities for each department. Contingency planning is led by top management, but all
levels of management participate. - ANSWERSPlanning at different organizational
levels
The _____ is a written explanation of an organization's business intentions and aims. -
ANSWERSmission statement
The firm must evaluate its current and potential position in the marketplace. _____ is
often used in this phase of strategic planning to assess the strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities, and threats. - ANSWERSSWOT analysis
_____ are guideposts by which managers define the organization's desired
performance in such areas as new product development, sales, customer service,
growth, environmental and social responsibility, and employee satisfaction. -
ANSWERSObjectives
Organizations can combine unique abilities and resources such as product innovation,
technology, and employee motivation to achieve the unique blend that sets it apart from
its competitors. - ANSWERScompetitive differentiation
Managers, often middle managers and supervisors, put the plan into action. Generally,
when top managers empower middle management, the company reaps the benefits. -
ANSWERSImplementing the strategy
The final step in the strategic planning process is to monitor and adapt plans when the
actual performance fails to meet goals. Monitoring involves securing feedback about
performance. Managers might compare actual sales against forecasts or compile
information from surveys. - ANSWERSMonitoring and adapting strategic plans
A programmed decision involves simple, common, and frequently occurring problems
for which solutions have already been determined. A nonprogrammed decision involves
a complex and unique problem or opportunity with important consequences for the
organization. - ANSWERSProgrammed and non-programmed decisions
This process begins when someone recognizes a problem or opportunity and develops
possible courses of action. Next, is the evaluation of alternatives, followed by the
selection and implementation of one of the alternatives. The last step is an assessment
of the outcome. - ANSWERSHow managers make decisions
