Working in a fast-paced environment may make it difficult to allocate time for planning. At times, we may be constrained to immediately start working to close off at the earliest, planning may be skipped and disastrous results may ensue.
Why is it important to have a plan in place?
Having a plan allows you to structure your day or the lifetime of a project, enabling you to identify priorities effectively and execute within the necessary timeframes. The plan is also necessary to act as a reference point, where you would be able to track progress and monitor if things are developing in the way they should be. A plan also allows one to manage expectations of superiors as every necessary task which is part of the project would be listed, with its own respective delivery date. In this regard, any changes which would need to be applied, have to be communicated accordingly to the necessary parties to ensure transparency.
It would be good to ensure that the plan is within easy reach and access, so that you may maintain regular review and monitoring.
A good plan does not need to be highly technical, long or well-formatted. A simple spreadsheet which is easy to follow would suffice, as it will allow you to focus on the things which really make a difference.
A proper plan is also necessary because it allows a team to predict any changes which may impact the way it works and respond effectively to them. Such planning may allow a business to avoid a potential crisis which can deeply impact its bottom line.
A plan also needs to have a certain degree of flexibility. In today’s business environment, things are constantly changing at a rapid pace. Failing to adapt to this change will leave you behind when compared to your competition. It is important to keep in mind that the businesses that survive are not necessarily the strongest, but the ones who are most responsive to change.
You may need to seek the services of a consultant to help you out and ensure that you are catering for all the necessary requirements.
How do you feel about planning? Do you think that it is given the necessary importance within an organisational context? Let us know your comments below.
