CTSO 2 - Planning and Decision-Making [LESSON]

Planning and Decision-Making

Introduction

Planning and Decision Making Now that you have taken a look at effective teams and teamwork, let’s look at some significant elements necessary to get the results you need – planning and decision-making. Without planning, you could lose sight of your purpose. This would be very significant for businesses as without effective planning and decision-making they could lose profits or possibly even have to close their doors. Poor planning in our personal lives can be equally detrimental in many respects. Success goes hand in hand with effective planning and decision-making. In this lesson, we will look at the importance of planning and decision-making in achieving effective results. 

 

Let's Talk About Planning

Planning is important in our personal lives as well as in professional organizations. Planning is important to us as individuals as we work to plan for our futures and the futures of our families. Examples of personal planning would be planning

  • to build a home, for retirement,
  • to build a savings plan for college, or
  • to buy a new car.

Businesses have to plan for growth, plan to adapt to changes in technology, and plan for economic changes, just to name a few situations. In planning, there are a number of considerations to take into account.

Consider the people Who is needed to implement the plan? Who is affected by the plan? How will we motivate people to participate in the plan? Consider the Occasion What is the purpose of the action being planned? When and where will it take place? Consider the Task Have we considered the impact of the plan? How much time is needed to accomplish all parts of the plan? How many people must be involved in the plan? How much money will the plan cost?

 

Now, click here to download a document. Review the steps to the planning process in the strategic planning summary document. Links to an external site.

 

Now, Let's Talk About Making Decisions

Decision Making The decision-making process is the process of moving logically and unemotionally to a solution. Planning is sometimes necessary to resolve a particular issue or problem. It could be a personal issue such as planning a family vacation. Or, from a business perspective, planning could be necessary to determine how to cut costs, planning a new marketing campaign, or planning the advancement or upgrade of technology. Of course, through the planning process, you have to reach the problem-solving or decision-making process. The decision-making process is the process of moving logically and unemotionally to a solution. 

 

Review

Review what you've learned by completing the activity below.


 

Takeaway and Sendoff

What is your main takeaway? Planning is essential for important events and decisions in our personal lives as well for the success of business and the economic enterprise. Planning is sometimes proactive as in creation of a retirement plan or a new business development project. It can also be necessary in reaction to an unexpected event or crisis. True success in either aspect is dependent upon following the steps of the planning and decision-making processes.  

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