Avoiding Planning Pitfalls

Abstract

Some of the common planning pitfalls are discussed in this chapter. The size and sophistication of the organization directly determines the number and type of pitfalls that the planning effort may encounter. The primary problem common to organizations of all sizes is that planning efforts cannot succeed if top management does not see the need for planning. The CEO must be committed to the planning effort and his support must be known to all of the line managers involved if the planning effort is to be successful. A formal planning organization is not necessary in order to plan. Planning, it must be remembered, is a managerial responsibility, and the people who are called “planners,” are merely facilitators. In many large companies with large formal planning departments, management tends to delegate a part of the executive planning responsibility to the planning staff. This is, in most cases, a mistake, since direct input from top management is needed for planning to be successful.