Principles of Planning

i. Principle of Contribution to Objectives

The purpose of all plans is to facilitate the achievement of the goals of the organization.

ii. Principle of Primacy of Planning

Says that planning should precede all other managerial functions. All other management functions cannot be performed without plans.

iii. Principle of Efficiency of Plans

  Says that the efficiency of a plan should be measured by its contributions to objectives as offset by its costs.

iv. Principle of Planning Premises

 The better the understanding of planning premises, the more co-ordinated the plans.

v. Principle of Strategy and Policy Framework

The more strategies and policies are carefully developed and understood the more consistent and effective plans are likely to be.

vi. Commitment Principle

Logical planning should allow a period in the future necessary to foresee the accomplishment of plans.

vii. Principle of Flexibility

The more flexible the plans the less the loss incurred through unforeseen events.

viii. Principle of the Limiting Factor

In choosing from alternatives, only those factors that are limiting or critical to the attainment of the goals should be considered.

ix. Principle of Navigational Change

The more planning decisions commit for the future, the more important it is that managers periodically check on events and expectations and redraw plans as necessary to maintain a course towards desired goals.