Basics of Planning (generic process)
Written by Carter McNamara, MBA, PhD, Authenticity Consulting, LLC. Copyright 1997-2008.
Adapted from the Field Guide to Nonprofit Strategic Planning and Facilitation.
Sections of This Topic Include:
One Perspective on Basic Planning ProcessVarious Other Perspectives
One Perspective on Basic Planning Process
Standard Planning Process is Similar to Working Backwards Through the System
Remember the discussion of systems? (We discussed systems in the Basic Definition of Organization and Various Ways to Look at Organizations.) Remember how systems have inputs, processes, outputs and outcomes? How systems have subsystems, each with their own inputs, processes, outputs and outcomes?One of the common ways that people manage systems is by planning. (Remember that planning is also one of the four major functions of Management?) Basically, the planning process includes planners working backwards through the system, starting from what they want the system to produce. As noted below, this basic, planning process typically includes:
1.) Establishing overall goals for the system -- It's usually best if goals are specified in terms that are measurable, so they usually are in terms of outputs from the system. The overall impacts of goals are outcomes, a term increasingly used in nonprofits.
2.) Associating strategies (these are system processes), or methods to meet the goals
3.) Associating smaller goals (these are outputs from various subsystems in the system), or objectives/milestones along the way to each overall goal
4.) Identifying what resources (these are system inputs) are needed, including people, material, technologies, money (often depicted in the form of a budget), etc.
5.) Integrating methods to ensure implementation of the plan, including identifying who is responsible to reach the goals and objectives, and by when; and including these responsibilities in policies, procedures, job descriptions, performance review processes, etc.
6.) Documenting the planning information in a plan document and communicating the plan. (This plan is often issued in a draft version that is reviewed by boards, management or other function, who eventually authorize the plan.)
7.) Monitoring and evaluating implementation of the plan
Many Types of Plans with Variations on Basic Planning Process
The above basic planning process is repeated with certain variations in a wide variety of applications. The nature of the variations depends on the focus of the application of the plan, for example, a- developing new business or other venture (business plans, program plans, etc.)
- direction for current business or other major function (strategic planning)
- project (project plan)
- and on and on and on ...
The Library topic Planning describes a wide variety of plans.
Various Other Perspectives
Big Dog on Planning
For the Category of Planning and Project Management:
Related Library Topics
Recommended Books
There are many kinds of planning, e.g., strategic planning, business planning, project planning, financial planning, staffing planning, market planning, etc. These kinds of planning often have a common set of terms and activities among them. One of the best approaches to learning about this common planning process, as opposed to studying all of the kinds of planning, is to understand project management. At the end of this section are links to other types of planning that are explained in the Free Management Library.
Also See
Business Planning -- Recommended Books
Strategic Planning -- Recommended Books
