Sunday, 11 January 2015 01:22

Developing a Plan Featured

Written by
Rate this item
(0 votes)

 

A plan is a written account of intended future course of action (scheme) aimed at achieving specific goal(s) or objective(s) within a specific timeframe. It explains in detail what needs to be done, when, how, and by whom, and often includes best case, expected case, and worst case

scenarios. A plan is typically any diagram or list of steps with timing and resources, used to achieve an objective.

Planning is one of the most important project management and time management techniques. Planning is preparing a sequence of action steps to achieve some specific goal. If a person does it effectively, he can reduce much the necessary time and effort of achieving the goal. A plan is like a map. When following a plan, you will always see how much you have progressed towards your project goal and how far you’re from your intended destination.

Every plan should be linked with some objectives. This defines the purpose for the plan. It is very important you have an objective. The planning done by managers is aimed at achieving the organizational goals. The same applies with your personal plan. You have your plan so you can achieve your personal goals. It helps you to concentrate your efforts on what is most important to you in achieving your goals. This ensures you spend your time appropriately without undue wastage because your time is very precious. With plan you evaluate and concentrate on what is more important and this ensures you cut off time wastage from your schedules.

The purpose of planning is also to minimize the cost of performance and eliminate unproductive efforts. It also helps you in adopting and adjusting according to the changes that take place in the environment. Planning also provides a basis for teamwork. This is possible when the goals are properly defined, assignments can be fixed and all the members can start contributing in the achievement of these objectives. Do I mean teamwork for individual plans? Yes of course. Your plan connects you to other people, places, activities and organisations so you know what roles each contact plays to make you achieve your goals.

Planning gives a sense of direction and ensured that efforts are being put to useful purpose instead of being wasted. Planning also facilitate control because without planning there will be nothing to control.

Two very important words in trying to understand what a plan is are:

1.    Goals
2.    Time

Your plan is to enable you achieve your goals in a set time. So what then is a goal? A goal is the purpose toward which an endeavour is directed. An objective is something that one’s efforts or actions are intended to attain or accomplish; purpose; target. A goal is an observable and measurable end result having one or more objectives to be achieved within a more or less fixed timeframe.

There are many approaches toward understanding the phenomenon of time. Time is a measure in which events can be ordered from the past through the present into the future, and also the measure of durations of events and the intervals between them. Time is a real phenomenon a continuous change through which we live. Time becomes evident through motion; sunrise, sunsets, night and day, the changing seasons, the movement of the celestial bodies all is indicative of continuous change.

You need to develop your own personal plan so you can make the best of who you are. Development is a process of expanding, shaping and improving skills, knowledge and interests to improve your abilities and effectiveness. Here I will make it as simple as possible.

First you list down your goals and by each goal you state the objectives you intend to achieve. By each objective you outline your success criteria and the action required from you to achieve these criteria’s. You list next who you need to accomplish these criteria’s and the time frame needed for this achievement to be accomplished. You continue by listing by each action the impact and further action it requires.

Okay let’s make it more elaborate:

1.    Sit down with a piece of paper. This can be in a journal, spiral notebook, or a blank document on your computer--whatever works best for you. List out what you need to get accomplished
2.    Create a timetable for yourself
3.    Know where you are going by outlining your goals and objectives
4.    Not only must your goal be specific, but you must also create a specific intention as well as very specific tasks or steps that will move you toward the completion of that goal
5.    Once you have a clear picture of what you’re out to accomplish, as well as what targets you will need to hit throughout the time span of the project or period, the next step is to create measurable milestones
6.    Create a list and accompanying time line of specific action items or tasks to complete in order to hit those milestones
7.    Break large tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks
8.    Put timelines on everything. Without specific time frames and deadlines, work will definitely expand to fill the time allotted, and some tasks may never get completed
9.    Once you’ve created your action items and set a specific timeline, the next step is to create some type of visual representation of your plan
10.    Schedule out your accomplishments
11.    Work your plan and don’t stop until it’s complete
12.    Change the date if you must, but never give up on the goal. Occasionally, circumstances or unforeseen events can emerge that throw a wrench in your ability to meet deadlines, complete tasks and achieve your goal. If this happens, do not get discouraged – revise your plan and continue working to meet targets and move forward.

If you follow this principle then you are a project manager, you have the skill and ability to handle your project because a goal is a project. It is important you understand why you need to embrace revision in your plans if the need arises. No matter how good your plan is, it’s unlikely your work will go exactly as you intended. It’s a good idea to set two or three key dates during your project where you go through your plan and match up what you have actually done with what you said you would do. If you are behind, this is a good time to change your plan and set new deadlines and objectives. You may need to be less ambitious about what you hope to achieve. A revised plan allows you to stay on track in your endeavour to achieve your gaols. The only thing that might change is your set time or time frame but the good news is the fact that you are still pursuing it to the end no matter what.

You need to make this year work for you by doing things you haven’t done before or for a while. You need to stop everything you are doing if you don’t have a plan and start creating a plan now. You need to develop a plan for this year. You need to be on top of your game and understand what is working in your life, areas you need more resources, areas you need improvement and start working to get much better results.

“A vision without a plan is just a dream. A plan without a vision is just drudgery. But a vision with a plan can change the world.” – Old Proverb

2378 comments

  • Comment Link golden goose outlet Thursday, 20 April 2023 17:16 posted by golden goose outlet

    My husband and i have been quite ecstatic that Ervin could finish off his basic research through your precious recommendations he was given out of the web page. It is now and again perplexing just to possibly be offering helpful tips others could have been trying to sell. We really fully grasp we have got the blog owner to appreciate for that. These explanations you've made, the simple website menu, the relationships you give support to foster - it's all amazing, and it's helping our son and the family reason why the concept is entertaining, and that is unbelievably serious. Thank you for the whole lot!

  • Comment Link off white clothing outlet Thursday, 20 April 2023 17:11 posted by off white clothing outlet

    My husband and i were really fulfilled that John could deal with his web research out of the precious recommendations he received using your web pages. It's not at all simplistic to simply possibly be releasing ideas which usually some people may have been making money from. Therefore we take into account we now have the blog owner to be grateful to because of that. The entire explanations you made, the simple website navigation, the relationships you will give support to foster - it's got everything overwhelming, and it's facilitating our son in addition to us imagine that the idea is enjoyable, which is certainly truly serious. Thanks for all the pieces!

  • Comment Link air jordan Thursday, 20 April 2023 15:16 posted by air jordan

    I precisely had to appreciate you again. I'm not certain the things that I might have worked on without the actual creative concepts shown by you directly on such a industry. Completely was a real difficult crisis for me, nevertheless observing a specialized strategy you solved the issue forced me to weep for delight. I am just happier for this work and thus pray you realize what a powerful job your are providing teaching many people using your site. More than likely you've never come across all of us.

  • Comment Link supreme new york Thursday, 20 April 2023 15:09 posted by supreme new york

    I actually wanted to jot down a quick comment to be able to express gratitude to you for all of the awesome techniques you are showing at this website. My extensive internet lookup has now been paid with excellent details to share with my guests. I 'd say that most of us visitors are undoubtedly fortunate to exist in a remarkable site with so many special individuals with valuable techniques. I feel quite blessed to have seen the web site and look forward to tons of more thrilling minutes reading here. Thanks a lot once again for everything.

  • Comment Link adidas yeezy Thursday, 20 April 2023 13:04 posted by adidas yeezy

    A lot of thanks for all of the effort on this web page. My aunt loves going through investigations and it's really simple to grasp why. We learn all relating to the dynamic tactic you create great guidelines through the website and in addition invigorate contribution from other ones on this subject then our child is now being taught a lot of things. Enjoy the rest of the new year. You're the one performing a fabulous job.

  • Comment Link yeezy boost 700 Thursday, 20 April 2023 04:10 posted by yeezy boost 700

    I not to mention my guys were found to be studying the best tricks located on your web page then all of the sudden I got a terrible suspicion I had not expressed respect to the site owner for those secrets. All of the ladies were as a result excited to read through all of them and have now honestly been taking advantage of these things. Many thanks for being very helpful and for considering variety of really good subject matter most people are really desirous to learn about. Our honest apologies for not expressing appreciation to you sooner.

  • Comment Link kyrie shoes Thursday, 20 April 2023 01:37 posted by kyrie shoes

    I wanted to send you a little note just to give thanks the moment again for the fantastic concepts you have contributed in this article. It is quite seriously open-handed with people like you to offer unhampered what some people could possibly have distributed as an ebook to generate some bucks for their own end, particularly seeing that you could possibly have done it in case you wanted. Those pointers additionally acted to become fantastic way to be aware that other people have the identical eagerness just like mine to realize whole lot more with respect to this matter. I think there are numerous more fun opportunities up front for individuals who discover your site.

  • Comment Link gap yeezy Thursday, 20 April 2023 00:50 posted by gap yeezy

    My wife and i felt now more than happy when Raymond could finish off his inquiry with the precious recommendations he obtained in your weblog. It is now and again perplexing just to be making a gift of facts which men and women have been selling. And we all already know we need the blog owner to give thanks to for this. All of the explanations you've made, the easy web site navigation, the relationships you can give support to foster - it's got everything remarkable, and it's aiding our son in addition to the family feel that that content is satisfying, which is very fundamental. Many thanks for all!

  • Comment Link off white jordan 1 Thursday, 20 April 2023 00:46 posted by off white jordan 1

    Needed to compose you one tiny observation to give thanks once again over the great secrets you've featured on this page. This is seriously open-handed with people like you to allow extensively exactly what many people would have sold as an ebook to earn some money for their own end, most notably now that you might have tried it if you ever desired. These secrets also served like the fantastic way to recognize that other people have a similar fervor just like my very own to know somewhat more on the subject of this problem. I'm sure there are many more pleasurable periods in the future for individuals that take a look at your blog.

  • Comment Link supreme hoodie Wednesday, 19 April 2023 23:22 posted by supreme hoodie

    I simply wished to thank you very much once again. I'm not certain what I might have done without the entire tips and hints discussed by you about such industry. It absolutely was a very depressing situation for me, however , observing this professional technique you solved the issue forced me to leap for gladness. I'm happier for your support and as well , believe you are aware of an amazing job you happen to be doing teaching most people using your webblog. I'm certain you haven't encountered all of us.

Leave a comment

Make sure you enter all the required information, indicated by an asterisk (*). HTML code is not allowed.