The Management Planning FunctionManagement PlanningThe management planning function provides objectives, strategies, direction and defines responsibilities in any organization. Types of plans include strategic, operational, tactical, and contingency. Each of these types allows an organization to have multiple plans to perform different roles to achieve an overall common goal. According to Fortune 500, “Entergy has been at the top of the charts for the past few years. Entergy consistently surpasses the $10 billion annual revenue mark.” (Cable News Network, 2008). With revenue of this magnitude and an employee base of more than 14,000, it is clear that Entergy's planning function is successful. Entergy's foundation for strategic planning was created in 1913 by one of the company's founders, Harvey Couch, during his involvement in the electric industry. “Couch's ultimate goal was to have an integrated electrical system with numerous energy sources at a reasonable price. Service reliability was his top priority." (Entergy Corporation, 2008). Couch's original philosophy for strategic planning is still implemented by Entergy today. The company continues to grow into new markets to increase its sources of energy to distribute to its existing and potential customers. With this growth, the strategic plan remains one of the most successful functions of Entergy's management plan. Operational planning happens, so to speak, in the trenches. low and all subsequent field workers who perform the tasks that help achieve the overall business objectives established by the strategic plan. Entergy takes pride in the teamwork and dedication that its employees put in as a manufacturing unit of the company operational experiences all physical attributes of the company's missions and objectives. Some of these attributes include installing new equipment and services in new customer areas, as well as troubleshooting and repairing existing service areas. Entergy's operations extend into Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana; and many efforts are volunteered to help other regions in times of crisis. It is during those times that operational planning shines due to the critical time constraints and severity levels involved in such crises. Without operational planning, Entergy's strategic goals would never have been achieved. Once strategic and operational planning is established, tactical planning must take place within a business to ensure strategic objectives (not the same as the planning function) to ensure a successful business presence. . Entergy has used this planning feature to locate its business operations in markets that could create symbiotic relationships with other businesses that already have infrastructure.