Facilitators For Management Team Planning Processes
 

• Don't go through a planning cycle if the Chief Executive is neither interested nor involved.
   
• Don't do planning only at the top of the organization – every manager must understand and be involved in the process.
   
• Don't waste time developing a plan if it is not going to be managed.
   
• Don't think that you have a plan if all you have is a budget.
   
• Don't use a "fill in the blanks" format.
   
• Don't make the planning process too complicated.
   
• Don't start the process until there is an agreed upon set of planning definitions.
   
• Don't think of planning as a strategic planning document; it is an on-going process.
   
• Don't expect to obtain maximum creativity from a planning session if the boss facilitates the meeting.
   

• Don't think planning is finished; only the current cycle is completed.