STEPS OF PLANNING PROCESS- STEP 6:PREPARING SUPPORTIVE PLANS

Once the main plan is selected at the previous step, the managers move forward and perform all the activities required to implement the selected plan. Accordingly, after plan selection the next step of planning process involves preparation of supportive plans.

After selecting the suitable alternative to proceed further, managers prepare supportive plans which help to carry out the routine activities and tasks to support the main plan. To be more practicable and attainable the main plan or basic plan is sub divided into sub plans for various departments. Different plans are prepared for different departments or levels, like- plan for procurement of raw materials, plan for production, marketing plan, sales plan, etc. Supportive plans make the work more achievable, as well as the accountability and responsibility can be easily defined.

While preparing the sub plans the organizational objective and basic plan should be considered, in order to eliminate the chance of any deviation. Additionally, the policies, rules, schedules, programs, etc. of the organization must be revised and upgraded according to the selected plans and sub plans.

For better understanding, lets take the example from the previous post where ‘a company aiming to advertise its products and services has various media options for advertisement like print media, digital media, telecommunication, etc. and the managers adopt the digital media.’ Once the digital media is selected (it can be referred as the main plan), the managers would prepare supportive plans for proper implementation of the digital media platform for advertising. Supportive plans here may include, content creation, market research plan, media selection plan, budget plan, etc.

Points to be considered while preparing supportive plans:

·         These must be aligned with the basic objective and plan;

·         Different plan for different department;

·         Prepare for required revision in organizational policies;

·         Easily communicable and implementable;

·         No sub plan must cause interruption to other sub plan.

Benefits of making supportive plans:

·         Makes objectives achievable;

·         Accountability can be easily defined;

·         Practicable and attainable;

·         Increases efficiency;

·         Saves time and reduces loss of efforts.