Planning

Plans and Planning

we offer

the essence of planning

other material

consultancy

management briefings

independent advice on tools and methods

There are several common uses of the word 'plan'.

Plan as endproduct. A preconfiguration or blueprint, as in a building plan or an urban development plan.
Plan as process. A scheme or schedule of activity, as in a military plan of action, or development programme.
Plan as policy. A set of rules or guidelines, intended to achieve a given endproduct or process.

In Lucy Suchman's excellent book, plans are contrasted with what she calls Situated Actions.


Le Corbusier	"Le plan est le générateur. Sans plan, il y a désordre, arbitraire. Le plan porte en lui l’essence de la sensation." Vers une Architecture	According to the modernist architect Le Corbusier, the plan is a generator - it generates both activity and structure. But how to lay out the plan - does it specify the structure itself, or does it merely specify a method by which the structure will evolve?
Confucius	People who do not think far enough ahead inevitably have worries near at hand. Analects, §15.12 Few lose out on account of prudence Analects, §4.23 Don’t wish for speed; don’t see small advantages. If you wish for speed, you won’t succeed; if you see small advantages, great things will not be accomplished Analects, §13.27
Brecht	Ja, mach nur einen Plan. Sei nur ein grosses Licht! Und mach dann noch 'nen zweiten Plan Gehn tun sie beide nicht. The Threepenny Opera	Make a single plan - so everyone's enlightened. 'Cos if you make a second plan everyone'll be too frightened.