Planning Definition and Types

Study Notes

Planning is the process of setting goals, determining actions, and allocating resources to achieve those goals.
It involves identifying and selecting alternatives, and making decisions about how to allocate resources.

Strategic Planning: Long-term planning that focuses on overall organizational goals and objectives.
Tactical Planning: Short-term planning that focuses on specific actions and tasks to achieve strategic goals.
Operational Planning: Planning that focuses on day-to-day operations and activities.

Goals: Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives that guide the planning process.
Objectives: Specific outcomes or results that need to be achieved.
Alternatives: Different options or courses of action that can be taken to achieve objectives.
Resources: People, materials, equipment, and budget needed to achieve objectives.
Timelines: Schedules and deadlines for completing tasks and achieving objectives.

Define the problem or opportunity: Identify the issue or goal that needs to be addressed.
Gather information: Collect data and information relevant to the problem or opportunity.
Develop alternatives: Generate a list of possible courses of action.
Evaluate alternatives: Analyze the pros and cons of each alternative.
Choose an alternative: Select the best course of action.
Implement the plan: Put the chosen alternative into action.
Monitor and evaluate: Track progress and assess the effectiveness of the plan.

Improves efficiency: Helps to allocate resources effectively and reduce waste.
Enhances decision-making: Provides a framework for making informed decisions.
Increases productivity: Helps to prioritize tasks and achieve goals.
Reduces risk: Identifies potential risks and develops strategies to mitigate them.
Improves communication: Facilitates collaboration and coordination among team members.

Planning is a process involving setting goals, determining actions, and allocating resources to achieve those goals.

Strategic Planning involves long-term planning, focusing on overall organizational goals and objectives.
Tactical Planning involves short-term planning, focusing on specific actions and tasks to achieve strategic goals.
Operational Planning involves planning that focuses on day-to-day operations and activities.

Goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives guiding the planning process.
Objectives are specific outcomes or results that need to be achieved.
Alternatives are different options or courses of action that can be taken to achieve objectives.
Resources include people, materials, equipment, and budget needed to achieve objectives.
Timelines are schedules and deadlines for completing tasks and achieving objectives.

Define the problem or opportunity by identifying the issue or goal that needs to be addressed.
Gather information by collecting data and information relevant to the problem or opportunity.
Develop alternatives by generating a list of possible courses of action.
Evaluate alternatives by analyzing the pros and cons of each alternative.
Choose an alternative by selecting the best course of action.
Implement the plan by putting the chosen alternative into action.
Monitor and evaluate by tracking progress and assessing the effectiveness of the plan.

Planning improves efficiency by allocating resources effectively and reducing waste.
Planning enhances decision-making by providing a framework for making informed decisions.
Planning increases productivity by helping to prioritize tasks and achieve goals.
Planning reduces risk by identifying potential risks and developing strategies to mitigate them.
Planning improves communication by facilitating collaboration and coordination among team members.