Effective Planning

Can planning be effective without a mission statement? This has been by far the most difficult question to get a clear concise answer. There have been so many differences of opinion; the actual question has been broken down into just a bunch of questions regarding just the mission statement. I played my part in this to; I'm not pointing any fingers. So I hate to beat a dead horse but I have to satisfy my DQ requirements.

Taking this question as it is stated; of course you can be effective without a mission statement. This answer is supported by this weeks reading. "Planning is the conscious, systematic process of making decisions about goals and activities that an individual, group, work unit, or organization will pursue in the future." I would like to emphasize on individual, as I have tendency to plan out everything. I myself do not have a mission statement and most of my plans are effective. When simply dealing with a regular plan you don't need a mission statement.

In strategic planning this has a different answer all together. "Strategic planning involves making decisions about the organizations long-term goals and strategies." Your top-level managers develop and execute these plans. The first step in developing a strategic plan is establishing a mission statement. If there is no mission statement, you don't have a strategic plan. Seeing as tactical (mid-level) and operational (frontline) plans are linked to the organizations strategic plans. If there is no strategic plan, what are you planning for? So in conclusion, planning in this sense cannot be effective.