Types of Plans

Plans can be classified on the basis of:

• Use (single-use or standing)
• Planning periods

• Developed for a specific event or project (non-recurring situations).
• Duration depends on the time needed to complete the project.
• Examples of situations: events, seminars, conferences.
• Types include: budgets, programmes, and projects.
• Include details of responsible employees.

• Used for activities that occur regularly over time.
• Keep internal operations running smoothly.
• Developed once and modified as needed when required.
• Types include: policies, procedures, methods, and rules.

• Single-use and standing plans fall under operational planning.
• Strategy belongs to strategic planning, handled by top management.
• Strategic planning focuses on resource allocation and competition.

• Set by top management.
• Guide the overall planning process.
• Each unit sets its own objectives aligned to organisational goals.

• Plans are classified by use (single-use / standing) and planning period.
• Single-use plans are for non-recurring, one-time events or projects - e.g., budgets, programmes, projects.
• Standing plans are for regular, recurring activities — e.g., policies, procedures, methods, rules.
• Standing plans are created once and modified as needed.
• Single-use and standing plans belong to operational planning; strategy belongs to strategic planning.
• Strategic planning is done by top management and focuses on resource allocation and competition.
• Objectives are set by top management and guide all planning; each unit aligns its own objectives to organisational goals.