makes it imperative in this unit to consider the concept of planning and the strategic ways it can be done to achieve desired objectives.
2.0 OBJECTIVES
At the end of the unit, students would be able to:
Describe the concept of planning
Know the processes and strategies of planning
Understand the relationships between planning and public policy analysis
3.0 MAIN CONTENTS
3.1 MEANING OF PLANNING
Planning is the process of thinking and outlining required activities towards sustaining a goal. It is considered the basic and fundamental function in management. For any organisational, societal or individual goals to be achieved, planning is required to map out ways and how the objectives can be attained.
According to Omran (2002:68), planning is the process that allows individual or organization to decide in advance on future actions. To Coffey (1999), planning involves selection from among alternatives future courses of action for an organization. In the word of Dimock et al, (1983:89), planning is “the use of rational design as contrasted with change, the reaching of a decision before a line of action is taken instead of improving after the action has started”. It is the process of devising a basis for a course of future action. Chandler and Plano (1988:92) explained planning from political point of view, thus:
Conceiving meaningful goals and developing alternative choices for future action to achieve these goals. It involves a systematic procedure for the reduction of many alternatives to an approved course of action. It determines not only goals but the sequential order in which they are pursued, the need for coordination and the standards for maintaining control.
From these definitions, these scholars regard planning as a technique which anticipates policy decisions. Planning in the context of administration begins where general policy stops. It is the means by which ends can be brought to fruition . In other words, in public sector, government lays down the general policy, the Administrative planning unit gives it practical shape to that policy in the form of development plan for period of years envisioned. For our purpose, planning involves some strategies. It specifies a definite goal and prescribes the method and the mechanism by which concrete results may be achieved.
3.2 CHARACTERISTICS OF PLANNING
The characteristics of planning as stated by Bhagwan and Bhushan (2006: 244) indicate that :
(i) Planning is closely associated with the goals of the organization. These goals might be implicit or explicit. However, well-defined goals lead to efficient planning;
(ii) Planning is primarily concerned with looking into the future. It requires forecasting of future situation in which organization has to function;
(iii) Planning involves selection of the best alternative to achieve the objectives of the organization;
(iv) Planning is comprehensive and includes every course of action in the organization;
(v) Planning is an inter-dependent and integrative process. It coordinates the activities of various departments, sections and sub-sections;
(vi) Planning is flexible as it is concerned with future conditions which are dynamic;
(vii) Planning is a continuous affair. It needs constant review and re-adjustment in the light of achieved targets and future possibilities;
(viii) Planning as a process of formulation and evaluation is primarily a staff function.
3.3 BASIC STEPS IN PLANNING
1. Establishing Objectives: The statement of objectives is the first step in planning. These objectives should be clearly stated and known by the concerns stakeholders in order to have good knowledge of the target purposes. Objective stipulates what needs to be done, identify the procedures and rules guiding the goals.
2. Establishing Planning Premises: Proper planning must have an agreement involving the relevant stakeholders. By disseminating critical planning premises, there would be room to give a forecast data and application of basic policies for organizational goals. The premises will showcase the assumptions and future setting of planning.
3. Determining Alternative Courses: Planning involves searching for alternative courses of actions especially those that are not immediately clear. So, in planning there is opportunity to have alternative course of actions.
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4. Evaluating and selecting from the Alternatives: Planning requires to sought from the alternatives courses and evaluate the strong and weak points. This is about weighing the various factors in the light of objectives and premises. Selection from the alternative is adoption of a course of action. This allows selection from different available alternatives using rational model perspective.
5. Formulation of Plans: After evaluation and selection process, plans are formulated.
This is followed with working out of modalities to enhance proper breaking down of the goals.
3.4 STRATEGIC PLANNING
Strategic planning has a very important role to play in public policy process. It gives a better understanding to policy formulation and policy priorities.
Generally, strategic planning refers to the processes by which an organisation, community or society or an individual sets up goals and objectives to be achieved with available resources. In essence, strategic planning guides decision makers on what to do, how to do it and why it should be done. It involves three major processes: Formulation of plan, execution and evaluation of plans. Bhagwan and Bhushan (2006) the three steps required in strategic planning thus:
i. FORMULATION OF THE PLAN
This is the first and most important step of planning process. An ill-conceived plan based on unreliable data and impractical targets may not only mean wastage of precious human and financial resources but may also create popular dissatisfaction. Formulation in this context entails formulation of goals and objectives, which should be clearly and unambiguously determined. This is followed by an assessment of the means or resources available to realize these goals, such as: money, men, material, equipment, ethical standards, political and administrative feasibility. The preparation of a work programme designed to achieve the determined objectives. The various available alternatives should be examined in the light of organizational objectives and planning premises and after objective evaluation of these alternatives the possible alternative should be selected.
ii. EXECUTION OF PLAN
The execution or implementation of the plan is as important step of the planning process as its formulation. A well-conceived plan may be set at naught by poor implementation. Effective implementation of plan has been the weakest link in the chain of the entire planning process. To ensure effective implementation, the planning body should provide adequate manpower, and financial resources, arrange sufficient officials, build up the character and morale of the plan executors and stimulate public cooperation.
iii. EVALUATION OF PLAN
Planning is a continuous process, therefore should be flexible enough to incorporate unexpected events and make necessary adjustment in the light of a plan appraisal. The appraisal of various plan projects particularly of a long duration plan is necessary to ensure its right direction. The uncertainty of the future necessitates continuous evaluation. The problems hindering the effective implementation can be drawn only through constant evaluation of the plan.
3.4 THE SYNERGY BETWEEN PLANNING AND POLICY ANALYSIS
Planning and policy analysis have their areas of commonalities. Olaniyi, (2001) highlights the following as the common ground for planning and policy analysis
(a) Problem identification or situation;
(b) Collection of all the relevant facts;
(c) Developing alternatives for future action to achieve these goals;
(d) Sequential orders for achieving these goals; and (e) The need for coordination and control.
No doubt, planning and policy analysis have relationship as the former emphasises on how to go about achieving a goal and objective while the latter identifies the basic needs for public policy to be effective and efficient. Nevertheless, both variables are import in identifying social problem that requires decision making.
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERC ISE Explain the term planning
4.0 CONCLUSION
In this unit, we have been able to define the concept of planning, the characteristics, basic steps in planning, strategic planning and the nexus between planning and policy analysis.
5.0 SUMMARY
Planning represents a new interest among policy makers in analyzing policy. It helps policy analysts to know what to plan for, how to plan it and how to carry out the plan. Planning is thinking before acting, establishing goals before setting out and appreciating the limitations. .
6.0 TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENTS (TMAs) (a) Discuss what you understand as planning
(b) Explain the relationship between planning and policy analysis
7.0 REFERENCES/FURTHER READING
Bhagwan, V. and Bhushan, V. (2006). Public Administration. New Delhi: S.
Chand & Company Ltd
Chandler, R.C. and Plano, J.C. (1988). The Public Administion Dictionary.
England:ABC - CLIO
Dimock, M.E. and Dimock, G.O. (1983). Public Administration. New York: Saunders College Publishing.
Eneanya, A.N. (2010). Public Administration in Nigeria: Principles, Techniques and Applications. Lagos: Concept Publications Ltd.
Olaniyi, J.O. (2001). Foundations of Public Policy Analysis Ibadan: Sunad Publishers Limited
White, L.D. (1955). Introduction to the study of Public Administration. New York: Macmillan Co