ABSTRACT
As a first step it is important to be clear about the nature of the planning process. Stripped to its essentials, planning involves the definition of a goal, and the setting of specific objectives as stages towards reaching that ultimate goal. It involves the consideration of methods for achieving the objectives, and this depends on the availability of information about what is involved in reaching the objective and what possible methods are available. In addition it involves the location and mobilization of the resources necessary in order to apply the methods chosen. These steps are not completely independent of each other, and should not be seen as steps to be carried out in a straight time sequence. The definition of objectives may have to be modified in the light of information about what is needed to achieve them and the likely available supply of resources. The methods chosen may have to be modified in the light of the supply of resources. Planning therefore needs to be understood as a process of continuous adjustment of the parts of the system, keeping in mind the ultimate goal. It needs to be recognized also that knowledge of the most appropriate methods will be acquired only as the decisions taken at other stages of planning are implemented and tested. What appears to be a good method may turn out not to be so good in the light of greater knowledge, and the system needs to ensure that methods are evaluated and, if necessary, abandoned and replaced by others.
