The First Critical Step to an Effective Planning Process: Inputs

Posted by on December 1, 2009

Here at Method Frameworks, we've created a planning process that has put us on the playing field with the most successful planning consultants in the nation. We've put our planning process to work for some of the nation's largest organizations and have consistently delivered ROIs of 140% or more. Through our experience we can tell you that there is one critical step you must not forget: Inputs.

What are inputs and how do they affect the planning outcome?

The "Inputs" phase of planning involves an integrated set of foundational activities designed to accomplish the following:

• Understand how your business ecosystem operates and how decisions within one segment of the ecosystem can impact the entire enterprise or specific segments of it;
• Identify potential outcomes of the planning exercise that are likely to benefit the organization;
• Frame outcomes based on organizational consequences, risk, benefits, and impacts (including company culture);
• And capture and organize information

What you walk away with in this critical first step is a solid understanding of how the organization works and at least an initial vision of where the planning process will lead the organization. By understanding the business ecosystem as a whole, your key outcomes (and subsequent supporting projects) can be evaluated based on organizational consequences, risk and benefits. You can then start to answer questions such as, "Should the organization expand or diversify?" When you understand how decisions within one segment of the organization affect others, you are forced to look for synergies between where you may go and where you are today.

The foundational understanding gained in this first step puts the key players in the process on the same page from the beginning and sets the planning process in unified motion. Whether planning for corporate strategy, operations, projects, or technology needs, the Inputs step is a must-have.

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For permission to use or reprint any portions of this copyrighted article, contact Method Frameworks at articles@methodframeworks.com.

About the Author:

Joe Evans is the President and CEO of Method Frameworks.  Joe is a published author, frequent speaker and recognized expert in corporate strategic planning. To contact Method Frameworks about scheduling Mr. Evans about an upcoming speaking engagement, visit www.methodframeworks.com/business-speaker or email requests to media_relations@methodframeworks.com.

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Method Frameworks is a leading business strategy and management consulting company, based in the Dallas / Fort Worth area and serving clients nationally and internationally.

Discover our capabilities and learn why Method Frameworks is the strategic planning partner chosen by Fortune-500 companies and small businesses alike. Let us show you how to realize 140%+ ROI on your strategic planning efforts through our unique Plan4^SM process that brings together strategy and execution into a powerful plan.   Plan4 is our proprietary business planning process that involves an integrated set of actions designed to help companies gain sustainable advantage. Download our brochure to learn more about Method Frameworks and our services or download our Plan4 Planning Process Overview.

You can contact Method Frameworks at 877-317-5264 (877-31PLAN4) or follow this link to request a meeting with a planning consultant. Check our articles and blog often at www.methodframeworks.com to get many more planning tips and information about our Plan4 process.

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