Types of planning

There are four main types of planning: strategic planning, tacti­cal planning, operational planning, and contingency planning. Administrative profes­sionals are often engaged in all four types of planning.

  1. Strategic planning

Strategic planning is the core of any effective organizational planning process. Strategic planning establishes long-term goals agreed upon by the entire organization that defines the direction in which the organization will go, establishes clear parameters for recognizing and achieving success, and directs a process of continuous adaptation that is within the corporate objectives and re­silient to external challenges.

Strategic planning is done by upper-level management. It is a formal process of planning to fit the mission and values of the organization. The plan is followed unless the dynamics of the environment indicate that a change is necessary. Strategic planning does not work without support from the top managers. In addition, the managers at all levels must support the plan. Strategic planning that is participative is more likely to succeed. All managers should be involved in the planning process from the beginning and follow through the implementation.

  1. Tactical planning

Tactical planning involves setting short-term goals that show how to achieve the broad objectives specified in the strategic plans. Tactical plans include specific actions to be taken to achieve objectives and are the responsibil­ity of middle-level managers.

  1. Operational planning

Through operational planning, first-line managers conduct day-to-day activities necessary to achieve longer term tactical and strategic goals.

  1. Contingency planning

Contingency planning involves developing action plans to help an organization cope with any unforeseen events that may arise.

Tactical, operational, and contingency planning all emanate from strategic planning. Ineffective or a lack of strategic planning can result in “crisis management,” a state in which the organization moves from one crisis to another. Eventually, the organization will fail in such a mode. Setting goals and establishing clear and reasonable objectives is just the first step, however. The organization’s management team must lead all the employees toward the goals by approaching each objective in a systematic manner with adequate and appropriate resources for accomplishing each task.