[Management] The Four Basic Steps in Planning

Planning is fundamental process and can be condensed into four basic steps that can be adapted to all planning activities.

1. Establish a Goal or set of Goals
2. Define the Present Situation
3. Determine Aids & Barriers
4. Develop a Set of Action

Establish a Goal or set of Goals
planning begins with decisions about what the needs or wants. without a clear definition of goals, we spread our resources too broadly. Identifying priorities and being specific about aims enable us to focus our resources effectively.

Define the Present Situation
how far are we falling short of our goal?what resources are available for closing the gap? only after the current state of affairs is analyzed can plans be drawn up to change future progress.

Determine Aids & Barriers
what factors in internal and external environments can help us reach our goal? what factors might create problems? it is comparatively easy to see what is taking place now, but future is never clear.

Develop a Set of Action
the final step in the planning process involves developing various alternative courses of action, evaluating these alternatives and choosing the most suitable , or at least the most satisfactory, alternative.

(-Management-)