THE PLANNER: Qualification and Evaluation

The planner is probably the most important input in the planning subsystem. This individual combines all other inputs and influences the subsystem process so that its output is effective organizational plans.

The planner is responsible not only for developing plans but also for advising management on what actions should be taken to implement those plans.

Regardless of who actually does the planning or what organization the planning is being done in, the qualification, duties, and evaluations of the planner are all very important considerations for an effective planning subsystem.

QUALIFICATIONS OF PLANNERS:

Planners should have four primary qualifications:

1. They should have considerable practical experience within their organization. Preferably, they should have been executives in one or more of the organization’s major departments.This experience will help them develop plans that are both practical and tailor made for the organization.                   
2. Planners should be capable of replacing  any narrow view of the organization they may have acquired while holding other organizational positions with an understanding of the organization as a whole. They must know how all parts of the organization function and interrelate. They must have an abundance of conceptual skills.                                                                     
3. Planners should have some knowledge of and interest in the social,political, technical and economic trends that could affect the future of the organization. They must be skillful in defining those trends and possess the expertise to determine how the organization should react to the trends to maximize its success. This qualification can be overemphasized.                                             
4. They should be able to work well with others. Their position will inevitably require them to work closely with several key members of the organization, so its is essential that they possess the personal characteristics necessary to collaborate and advise effectively. The ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, is one of the most important of these characteristics.

EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR PLANNERS:

1. Organizational Plan is in writing.
2. Plan is the result of all elements of the management team working together.
3. Plan defines present and possible future business of the organization.
4. Plan specifically mentions organizational objectives.
5. Plan identifies future opportunities and suggests how to take advantage of them.
6. Plan emphasizes both internal and external environments.
7. Plan describes the attainment of objectives in operational terms whenever possible.
8. Plan includes both long and short term recommendations.

Over and above all these, the subjective considerations include how well planners get along with key members of the organization, the amount of organizational loyalty they display and their perceived potential.