Page 28 - DLIS406_ACADEMIC_LIBRARY_SYSTEM

Unit 3: Planning

It should be set by a person having authority. The goal should be realistic, specific, acceptable Notes
to the organization, and easily measurable. Identify all the main issues which need to be
addressed. Review past performance. Decide budgetary requirement. Focus on matters of
strategic importance. What are requirements and how will they be met? What will be the
likely length of the plan and its structure? Identify shortcomings in the concept and
gaps. Strategies for implementation. Review periodically. Define strategies and activities.

3.2.3 Applications

In Organizations
Planning is also a management process, concerned with defining goals for future organizational
performance and deciding on the tasks and resources to be used in order to attain those goals.
To meet the goals, managers may develop plans such as a business plan or a marketing plan.
Planning always has a purpose. The purpose may be achievement of certain goals or targets.
The planning helps to achieve these goals or target by using the available time and resources.
To minimize the timing and resources also require proper planning. The concept of planning
is to identify what the organization wants to do by using the four questions which are “where
are we today in terms of our business or strategy planning? Where are we going? Where do
we want to go? How are we going to get there?”

In Public Policy
Planning refers to the practice and the profession associated with the idea of planning an idea
yourself (land use planning, urban planning or spatial planning). In many countries, the
operation of a town and country planning system is often referred to as “planning” and the
professionals which operate the system are known as “planners”.
It is a conscious as well as sub-conscious activity. It is “an anticipatory decision-making
process” that helps in coping with complexities. It is deciding future course of action from
amongst alternatives. It is a process that involves making and evaluating each set of interrelated
decisions. It is selection of missions, objectives and “translation of knowledge into action.” A
planned performance brings better results compared to an unplanned one. A manager’s job is
planning, monitoring and controlling. Planning and goal setting are important traits of an
organization. It is done at all levels of the organization. Planning includes the plan, the thought
process, action, and implementation. Planning gives more power over the future. Planning is
deciding in advance what to do, how to do it, when to do it, and who should do it. This
bridges the gap from where the organization is to where it wants to be. The planning function
involves establishing goals and arranging them in logical order.

3.3 Short-term, Long-term and Strategic Planning

The SDTM Library’s Strategic Plan has 4 main areas of concern and is derived from the vision
and goals of the Institute. These areas are (1) preparing students for the knowledge society,
(2) creating a vibrant learning community on campus, (3) supporting the scholarly communication
process and (4) focusing all activities on users.

3.3.1 Preparing Students for the Knowledge Society

(i) Our goals in producing graduates for the knowledge-based society, preparing graduates
for novel challenges and nurturing entrepreneurship, depend to a large degree on our

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 23