Fall of the Integrated Planning System

Abstract

Abstract : Planning is an important part of a comprehensive approach to national preparedness. After the September 11 attack on America, several federal mandates led to the creation of the Integrated Planning System (IPS). The IPS was the first national approach to planning. Just over one year after its approval, the White House National Security Staff discontinued the use of IPS. One can ask, why was IPS withdrawn so soon after its implementation? This monograph explores the reasons behind the short lifespan of the Integrated Planning System. To answer the question of why a planning system given so much importance was removed so quickly, it was important to understand the mandates requirements, identify existing federal planning types, identify IPS origins and compare IPS to the mandate s requirements. Ultimately, the government discontinued the Integrated Planning System as the national planning system because in focusing on developing a doctrine for deliberate plan writing it neglected the additional requirement for both crisis action and program planning activities.