Which organizational structure is described as being organized around the time it takes to complete the basic planning functions?

• A. Organization by Geographic Area
• B. Organization by Time Frame
• C. Organization by Function
• D. Organization by Process

Answer: (B)

Organizing planning work by the time required to complete basic planning functions means grouping tasks into time-based segments—short-term, mid-term, and long-range planning. This structure focuses on the horizon of the work, aligning teams and resources with how long it will take to complete each set of tasks and the deadlines they must meet.

That’s why the described organizational approach is time-frame based: it centers on the duration of planning activities rather than where the work is done (geography), what kind of activity it is (function), or the sequence of steps in a process (process).

For example, you might have separate teams or workflows for immediate, 1–2 year projects, and long-range master plans spanning 10–20 years. In contrast, organizing by geographic area would group work by location, by function would group by type of activity (policy, analysis, implementation), and by process would group by the steps from initiation to adoption.