Sedalia Chamber and Visitors Bureau

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD PLAN ...

The essential element of a plan is that is offers a definite course of action and a method for execution.  A good plan does the following:

1.    Provides for accomplishing the business mission (Does it accomplish the objective of the             planning?)

2.    Is based on facts and valid assumptions (Have all pertinent data been considered?  Are the         data accurate?  Have assumptions been reduced to a minimum?)

3.    Provides for the use of existing resources (Is the plan workable?  Are there any resources             organic to the business that are not being fully utilized?  Are there any resources available from         higher headquarters that should be used?)

4.    Provides the necessary organization (Does the plan clearly establish relationships and fix             responsibilities?)

5.    Provides continuity (Does the plan provide the organization, personnel, material, and             arrangements for the full period of the contemplated operation?)

6.    Provides decentralization (Does the plan delegate authority to the maximum extent consistent with     the necessary control?)

7.    Provides direct contact (Does the plan permit coordination during execution by direct             contact between coequals and counterparts on all levels?)

8.    Is simple (have all elements been eliminated that are not essential to successful action?              have all elements been reduced to their simplest forms?  Have all possibilities for                 misunderstanding been eliminated?)

9.    Is flexible (Does the plan leave room for adjustment to change in operating conditions?              Where necessary, are alternate courses of action stipulated?)

10.    Provides control (Do adequate means exist, or have they been provided, to ensure that the         plan is carried out in accordance with the manage’s intent?)

11.    Is coordinated (Is the plan fully coordinated?  When appropriate, has the manager been             informed of non concurrence or non-coordination?)