Understanding Planning: Definitions and Key Themes

According to Chadwich (1978), planning is preparing for future ______.

Beehakker (1980) refers to planning as the art of getting future things ______.

Conyers and Hills (1984) define planning as a continuous ______.

Planning involves making ______ or choices about alternative ways of using available limited resources.

Planning requires choosing from several ______.

The plan, the planner, the beneficiaries of the plan, and the ______ are the golden thread in all the definitions of planning.

Planning means to choose between options, it implies that ______ is very important in planning.

Planning is also concerned with the ______ of available resources.

Planning (Chadwich, 1978)

Planning (Beehakker, 1980)

Planning (Conyers & Hills, 1984)

General Planning Definition

Choice Making in Planning

Best Option in Planning

Limited Resources Allocation

Planning is a common activity for humans and organizations.
Planning methods have been developed and applied widely.
Due to the broad applications of planning, defining its elements is challenging.
Definitions provide an understanding of planning's nature and purpose.

Definitions of planning

Chadwich (1978): Planning is preparing for future actions.
Beehakker (1980): Planning is the art of getting future things done.
Conyers and Hills (1984): Planning is a continuous process involving decisions about using limited resources to achieve specific future goals.

Common features of planning

Planning involves decision-making and choosing between alternatives.
Planning uses facts and data for informed choices.
The definitions share common themes

Key themes in planning

The plan acts as a tool
The planner creates and handles the tool with expertise.
The beneficiaries are the recipients of the plan's benefits in specific locations.
The process outlines how the planning is executed.
Planning seeks to answer questions facing humanity or society.

Aspects/Elements of Planning

Choice making is crucial, involving selection between desirable ends and alternative actions.
The best option is recommended among competing choices.
Planning allocates limited resources to achieve specific goals or outcomes.
Planning aims to achieve concrete results, which can be positive/beneficial or negative/detrimental.
Time is essential, providing an indication of goal achievement and allowing activities to be performed logically.
Knowing when a goal must be achieved is critical in planning.

Explore the definitions and key themes of planning from various perspectives. Planning is a crucial human and organizational activity, with its core elements defined by decision-making, informed choices, and future-oriented goals. Understanding these themes provides a foundation for effective planning in diverse contexts.