Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance. Essay Example for Free

Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance. Essay In planning we set short term and long term objectives and it is relevant that we anticipate worst case scenarios. That is why planning should be strategic and scientific. Planning should be strategic because every method formulated in planning is integral and interrelated. The strategic characteristic of planning is often applied in military planning not just to produce tangible and intangible results but to establish the greatest possibility of victory. The book entitled Art of War written by Sun Tzu which contains series of formula, tactics, and strategies that has been proven through time is an example of a book which is based on planning. In this book the writer stressed out that â€Å"Planning works in a controlled environment, but in a competitive environment, competing plans collide creating situations that no one plans†. In this analysis of the book, the possibility of the occurrences of uncontrolled variables can be solved if one is able to make a strategic planning. In as much as planning perse is important, planning with strategy is more important. In strategic planning you deepen the planning methods to identify the strengths and weaknesses and the complexities of formulated plans. This process will enable planners to illustrate more alternatives, do more rigorous thinking and be ready to face more challenges. Scientific planning can be taken out of consideration because without this planning is not actually done. We call something scientific if it is â€Å"regulated by or conforming to the principles of exact science: scientific procedures†. Therefore, scientific planning is based on empirical evidences that have been gathered which resulted to verifiable data. So, results are product of tested hypothesis, accurate experimentation, and conclusive results. In doing short term plans which oftentimes have long term effects planning becomes critical. In establishing short term plans the main consideration is the period of time while having limited resources and scope. But since short term planning is more limited in terms of time the planners should be prepared for great and accurate details. Normally the length of short term plans is a week long or a year long wherein two years is the most. It still depends on how complex and extensive the goals are. Projects and activities which need short term planning include doing lesson plans in the part of teachers, planning a wedding ceremony, deciding which course a student will take, family meal planning, or small business planning. For the long term planning there could be two possible ways in doing this. First, the project or event is being planned as a continuity of short term planning. In this case, the assumption is the short term plans were successful thus a long term plan is needed for bigger results. This case often happens in television to film productions, small businesses’ expansions, and career growth and development of a person. For the long term planning a set of actions is adapted not just for today but making future as the major consideration. Though, long term planning needs a protracted time, victory is often at hand. Mao Zedong, the leader of Communist Party of China was able to lead the Chinese revolution composed of mostly peasants victoriously. His effective, scientific, and strategic planning has been admired. This made him one of the most important figures in modern world history. Planning for retirement is another perfect example of a long term plan wherein intelligent planning is a must. In fact there are many professionals who are ready to give assistance to those who want to identify their financial goals and stability in the future. Since, long term planning involves making definite decisions the plans being made still depend on different contexts which need different approaches. Educational planning and marriage planning on the other side are other two examples of contexts that require long term planning and should be handled using appropriate approaches. A classic instance of this long term planning which is familiar to general readers is the parents’ obligations in preparing for the educational needs of their children towards a better future. That is why before entering into family life a couple should be able to carefully plan the â€Å"blue print† of their life from becoming a couple to becoming future parents. So the question Why plan? can be answered practically or relying on products of successful events, knowledge and backgrounds of reliable people, and empirical evidences. The arguments and premises provided in this paper are helpful notes and materials to those who do not know how to answer how important planning is. The answers need not to perfect but they need to be analyzed intelligently by every person who thinks planning is important in making one’s existence purposive and having logical directions in life, whether it will be a short term planning or long term planning. Source Porter, M (1985). Competitive Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance. NY: New York Free Press.