Role of Planning, Planners, and Plans

The previous article discussed the five configurations of organizational structure that Mintzberg proposed as part of his theory. This article examines the role of planning, plans, and planners in each of the configuration. To start with planning is an important element of strategy whenever there is excessive standardization and where the organizational structure is mechanistic and where the technocrats are in positions of importance.

For instance, the Department of Defense or the Pentagon in the United States relies extensively on standardized work processes and planning to carry out its activities. This is the case with large organizations like GM (General Motors) as well. These organizations rely on “experts” and “planners” who form an “army of techno structural bureaucrats” who plan and who assist the organization in carrying out its activities by formalizing plans for the future.

Some Real World Examples

On the other hand, startups in the software industry hardly plan for the longer term when their focus is on the next year’s results. However, the role of plans in strategy cannot be underestimated because all organizations need longer-term plans for their survival. Indeed, as the example of the planning commission in developing countries like India illustrates, longer-term plans are crucial to ensure that countries and organizations do not lose track of their sense of purpose and mission.

The role of planning is crucial in the machine bureaucracies and the professional organizations that need a vision and mission to take them forward. As we have discussed, plans, planning, and planners all contribute to the development of strategy.

Difference between Strategy Formulation and Strategy Implementation

Talking about strategy, there is a crucial difference in the terms strategy formulation and strategy implementation. Mintzberg and his associates researched extensively and found that in most cases, strategy formulation and strategy implementation are entirely different aspects. The difference is that whereas planners plan strategy and formulate it, managers execute strategy and implement it. Hence, there is the aspect of two different elements of the organizational structure that is involved in planning and execution of strategy.

Indeed, in many organizations, there exists a creative tension between the planners and the implementers and the way in which the organizations resolve this aspect makes the difference between organizational transformation and organizational failure that is at the heart of Mintzberg’s configuration model of strategy.

Closing Thoughts

Since the contemporary business environment is characterized by rapid pace of change and unpredictable trends that take everyone by surprise, planners and managers have to ensure that their strategies take into account these aspects.

For instance, an Army commander follows the strategy to tackle an enemy unit but also must make changes on the fly to ensure that the situation on the field is amenable to their strategy.

Different organizations strategize differently and it is the nature of longer term planning combined with the adaptation to shorter-term needs that determines how well an organization performs in the real world.