Planning and Decision Making Lesson

Module Seven: Planning and Decision Making

On-line Lesson

Planning

Planning is considered as the initial stage of determining agency needs, resources, and goals, and of creating recommendations for actions to be carried out.

Strategic Plan - involves envisioning a future state of the organization and designing strategies and tactics to reach that vision.

The most widely used planning technique in parks and recreation. Usually covers a span of 3-5 years and involves hiring an outside consultant to facilitate the process. Steps in a strategic plan include:

Develop and clarify the Values, Vision, and Mission
Complete a performance analysis
Complete a SWOT analysis
Identify strategic issues and implement strategies
Approve and implement the plan
Monitor, review, and update the plan

Master Plan

Another planning process for park and recreation agencies is the master plan (see PRM 423 - Master Plan Module). Master plans are usually updated every 10 years.

Additional Reading: Coconino County Parks and Recreation Department - 2009 Development and Action Plan

A master plan will review the following information:

	current physical resources (open space, parks, playgrounds, aquatic and sports facilities, etc.)
	compare local resources to national standards (benchmarking)
	develop population and economic projections
	identify future needs and land acquisition plans
	identify immediate and long-range resource needs

Business Plan - will collect a broad range of data to detail how a business venture will be operated, what will make it successful, and what short term and long term finances are needed. A business plan will contain the the following sections:

	Executive summary
	General company description
	Products and services
	Marketing plan
	Operational plan
	Management and organization
	Personal financial statement
	Financial plan

Marketing Plan - these are common to the public, nonprofit, and commercial organizations. Sections of a marketing plan include:

	Executive summary
	Situational analysis
	Customer analysis
	Marketing issues and strengths
	Implementation and control

Technology Planning - this information should be part of a strategic plan and focus on how technology can contribute to the mission of the organization. Technological applications can increase organizational effectiveness and efficiency and should be updated on a semi-annual basis.

	Assembling a planning team
	Examining the vision, mission, gorals, and objectives of the organization
	Assessing current technology infrastructure
	Identifying new technology solutions that work to achieve organizational goals
	Developing implementation strategies, time lines, and costs
	Understanding and involving end users
	Assessing effectiveness
	Making adjustments by repeating the process

Problem Solving and Decision Making

Decision making - choosing from two or more alternatives through a process of analyzing the situation, evaluating options, and selecting a course of action.

Problem solving - creating solutions to correct the discrepancy between a desired state and current reality.

Programmed decisions - routine decisions made by managers on a daily basis.

Decision-making is a key characteristic of successful managers. It is a fundamental part of any managers job responsibility. Decisions may be classified in two ways.

1) Routine. Covered by organizational policy.

2) New problems not addressed by organizational policy.

	If it involves a minor consequence for the organization, decision can be made with little risk.
	Those that may result in major implications need careful consideration and god judgement.

Four types of decisions

	primary decisions; strategic decisions made which influence long-term direction of the organization.
	problem-oriented decisions; decisions made through analysis and require some form of policy development.
	task-oriented decisions; made by lower level managers to implement prior decisions.
	reflex decisions; routine decisions.

Steps in Decision Making Process

identify and define the problem
define objectives for the solution
generate possible solutions
evaluate possible solutions
select and implement the solution
evaluate and monitor the solution

Ethical Decision Making - following the previous decision making process a manager then assesses the situation for any legal, personal, or social issues that could cause conflict and then consider any ethical implications. Ethical decision making approaches:

	Utilitarian approach - the decision results in the greatest good for the greatest number.
	Moral approach - requires the manager to "do what is right" regardless of the consequences.
	Universalist approach - requires the manager to look at the situation and how it affects everyone else.
	Cost benefit approach - examines the costs and benefits of the decision.

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Module Seven: Planning and Decision Making On-line Lesson

Module Seven: Planning and Decision Making

On-line Lesson