Correct Answer: Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.

Solution : The correct answer is (a) Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.

This assertion is true. In the field of management, planning and controlling are two fundamental and interconnected functions. Planning involves setting goals, objectives, and deciding on the actions necessary to achieve them. It's about deciding what needs to be done. Controlling, on the other hand, involves monitoring and regulating the ongoing activities to ensure they align with the planned goals and objectives. It's about making sure that the actual performance is on track with the planned course of action.

This reason is also true and correctly explains the assertion. Planning indeed sets the direction and goals by determining what an organization wants to achieve and how it intends to get there. Controlling, as mentioned, ensures that progress is made towards those goals by measuring and adjusting actual performance to match the planned objectives. In other words, planning provides the roadmap, while controlling keeps the organization on the right path towards its objectives.