What is Planning? a) A detailed proposal for doing or achieve something. b) An intention or decision about what one is going to do. (Oxford Dictionary, 2015)

Why Planning is important? To clearly set goals, objectives and targets of an organization To help define framework and direction of an organization To use as an indicator for evaluation of personnel and organization To administrate and manage an organization efficiently and effectively To help manage resource allocation sufficiently and thoroughly

Levels of Plan 1.National Plan- to set direction and goals in general as a Master Plan for the lower-level plans e.g. Master Plan for Env. Quality Mgmt. 2.Sectoral Plan or Ministry Plan- to digest from Master Plan at Ministry level e.g. Sustainable Development Plan for Biodiversity. 3.Department Plan (Business Plan)- to establish organization’s strategies e.g. Strategic Plan

Levels of Plan (Cont.) 4. Programme- for Department or organization in different programmes in order to reach its goals e.g. Programme for Biodiversity Conservation. 5. Project- is a sub-level of Programme to bring it to practice e.g. Biodiversity Management in Maha Sarakham Province. 6. Work Plan- is a detailed plan for activities gathering for each project e.g. Work Plan for Plan Diversity Collection.

Planning Period 1.Long-term Plan- More than 5 years e.g. Master Plan 2. Middle-term Plan- Between 1-5 years e.g. Strategic Plan 3. Short-term Plan- Less than 1 year e.g. Programme

Steps in Planning Process 1.Goal Setting - Plans are meant to achieve objectives - Objectives – clear, specific, informative - Tools - Mind map - SMART => Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-related

Steps in Planning Process (Cont.) 2. Developing the planning premises -Assumptions and conditions must be clearly defined - Tools - Decision table

Steps in Planning Process (Cont.) 3. Reviewing Limitations -Constraints or Limitations - Finance - Human Resource - Materials - Power - Machinery - Tool -SWOT Analysis

Steps in Planning Process (Cont.) 4. Deciding the planning period - Too much planning can also cause delay and overcautious actions

Steps in Planning Process (Cont.) 5. Formulation of Policies and Strategies - Alternative plans - Controlling activities in the future

Steps in Planning Process (Cont.) 6. Preparing operation plans - Operation plans/ Basic plan - Procedures - Programmes - Schedules - Budgets - Rules

Steps in Planning Process (Cont.) 7. Integration of plans - Different plans must support each other - Sequence and alternatives - Reviewing and revising plans - Communication of plans

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” - Larry Elder