The best laid plans

Citation

(1999), "The best laid plans", Work Study, Vol. 48 No. 7. https://doi.org/10.1108/ws.1999.07948gaa.001

The best laid plans

From my distant youth and original management training, I remember "management" being described as a process consisting of planning, organising, monitoring and controlling. I've always found that simple representation effective. In many situations, it helps to be reminded of the completeness of the process -- and the fact that it IS only complete if all four components are present. Thus, planning and organising is only really effective if subsequent implementation activities are monitored and corrective action is taken where actual practice is different from planned. On a personal level, there have been a number of occasions when ensuring that all four components are actually in place has been very important, saving me from real embarrassment or worse!

However, when thinking recently of the difference between managers and businessmen/entrepreneurs (largely I think down to the acceptance of risk among entrepreneurs and the avoidance of risk among managers), I got to wondering if planning is over-rated and can actually be a hindrance. After all, don't the best businessmen "fly by the seat of their pants", trust their judgement, back their hunches, etc.

There are situations where planning is extremely difficult, perhaps because the environment is unpredictable and/or unstable. In such situations, good managers are those who can react quickly and effectively. Their results are seemingly achieved with little prior planning.

But if we think through this ... you are thinking aren't you? ... we can see that these people who respond quickly and can think on their feet have usually put in the preparation. They know and understand the environment in which they are operating. They know and understand their competition. They have rehearsed (at least mentally) actions for a number of likely scenarios and they are confident in their actions. This is planning!

Of course there may be other contributors to success. These people may also be excellent communicators and motivators, securing commitment from others. However, ill-informed judgements based on incomplete or imperfect information are unlikely to result in success. One can be lucky - occasionally - but I'm sure my old management lecturers were right. Consistent high achievement demands preparation and planning. Successful managers and businessmen are like expert practitioners in other walks of life. They can make it look easy - to the point where all the planning and preparation is invisible and forgotten. It is still, however, the bedrock of success.

I'm now off to plan the next issue of Work Study.