CHAPTER 13 - Avoiding Mistakes in Planning

Abstract

This chapter focuses on avoiding mistakes in planning. Corporate planning is a relatively new concept of management and it is not surprising that many mistakes have been made in its implementation or that the wrong initial expectations have led to disillusionment in many cases. Few managers will take the time and trouble to plan well unless a critical judgment is applied to the plan by the chief executive and his corporate staff. A reward system based only on short-term results which relies on retribution for poor planning coming at some future date, will usually mean that corporate planning fails. Good planning requires a blend of attention to both the present and the future. Planning departments have one advantage in that their size is usually small, and frequently is only one or two people. Although lack of numbers makes it harder to maintain regular visibility at all levels, it also means that those in the department are more responsive to the contacts they do have.