The skill of planning in any field of activity finds its application. This is especially true for large organizations and enterprises, whose activities involve dozens of departments and hundreds of employees. For example, target-oriented planning can be applied even at the level of the entire state and individual municipalities.
The concept
Familiarity with any new term is best to begin with the formulation of its exact definition. Let’s do just that.
So, what is target-oriented planning and what is its essence?
This information will be especially useful to those who work in the field of management and occupy other managerial positions.
First of all, you need to understand that this is one of the types of planning, which differs from the rest in that it is aimed at achieving the goals.
On the one hand, it seems that absolutely any planning is aimed at specific goals. However, the program-targeted method is unique. When applying it, they first formulate goals and only then develop possible ways to achieve them.
In fact, the whole scheme of the program-targeted planning method fits into only four major stages:
- Goals.
- The way.
- Ways.
- Facilities.
It all starts with setting goals to be achieved. Further, as if in draft form, they create sketches, formulating possible ways of achievement. Further, it comes down to finding specific ways and means to implement a program aimed at achieving the goals that are formulated at the initial stage.
Essence
Program-target planning involves the application of a systematic approach to solving any strategic problem.
It allows you to engage in the formulation and subsequent solution of rather complex tasks that are at the junction of several industries and different levels of government. That is why it is necessary to carefully think through and organize the mechanisms that make possible the docking of such entities.
The essence that program-oriented and strategic planning hides in itself requires an integrated approach, since when achieving the set objectives, as a rule, the interests of several entities are involved. None of them can achieve this goal alone. That is why they are supposed to be combined into a single mechanism.
Program-target planning, as mentioned above, is aimed at achieving the objectives.
The essence of the method is as follows.
- Definition of all components of the formulated task, as well as the study of their relationships.
- Formulation of specific goals, the achievement of which will ultimately lead to a solution to the problem.
- The formation of a mechanism to evenly distribute resources in order to prevent their shortage or excess.
- Creating a system for managing the implementation of the developed program.
- Monitoring the effectiveness of activities.
So, on the basis of the formulated components, it is easy to conclude that the use of target-oriented planning has its own characteristics. Among which are a systematic approach to solving the problem, as well as the sequence of planned actions. With such a competent organization of the process, it is possible to most accurately predict the result.
Features
Program-target planning and management differs from other methods in that it allows not only to predict the result, but also to draw up a detailed program aimed at achieving it. That is, in fact, this method is aimed at real actions, rather than making theoretical predictions. Its task is not only to observe the development situation, but also to influence the consequences, which significantly increases the chances of achieving the planned results and goals.
The next feature that program-target planning hides in itself is the way it influences the developed plan. The main object of attention is not the system itself, but the process of managing it and its components.
So, the key concept of this method is a program, which implies a whole complex of various activities aimed at achieving the planned goals. This method of planning differs from other methods in its effectiveness. That is, this is not just a theoretical plan, but the actual impact on economic and other indicators that form the basis of the goals set.
Methods
Program-targeted budget planning, like its other varieties, can be based on various methods. The role of the forecasting methodology is difficult to overestimate. This is due to rapid changes in economies and other areas of human activity, to which the term "planning" is applied.
So, in fact, all the methods used are divided into two large groups.
- Forecasting methods, which include heuristic and economic-mathematical methods.
- Planning methods, including methods for the preparation and subsequent implementation of plans.
Let's talk more about each of the above items.
Heuristic methods
Their essence is subjectivity. Since they reflect the point of view inherent in someone who is engaged in theoretical forecasting. This applies, as a rule, to sociological as well as expert methods.
The former are used to determine the current situation in the state as a whole or in the market for certain goods. The latter act exclusively as a supplement to other methods of program-targeted budget planning, since they have a serious drawback. They are subjective and provide low accuracy due to subjective assessment.
Economic and mathematical methods
Assume the use of objective observation, as well as measuring indicators. Further, on the basis of the information obtained in this way, they make a forecast due to calculations and mathematical modeling.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the statistical methods that are characterized by the presence in any planning method, including the method we are considering.
Methods for preparing plans
Often, methods of mathematical programming are used to develop plans, which include the following options.
- Tasks regarding the development of the most optimal production plan. Their essence involves determining the most promising plan in terms of volume, even in the presence of a limited amount of resources.
- Logistic tasks are aimed at developing the most optimal transportation plan, in which the program executor bears the minimum transportation costs, while allowing to achieve the goal and without causing any damage to the final result.
In addition to the above mathematical method, game theory can also be involved in preparing plans.
Methods for implementing plans
They suggest the development of plans for the two types listed below.
- Directive, that is, assuming accurate impeccable execution. Their peculiarity consists in the uniqueness and compliance with the existing capabilities of the involved actors or a specific object.
- Indicative, suggesting guidelines for economic development. Such plans do not require precise execution and may vary depending on the specific conditions of implementation.
It is worth noting that program-targeted planning, as a rule, involves a combination of the above methods. For what purpose?
In general, planning methods cover a narrower concept than forecasting. Since the former involve the development of a plan in one or more versions with subsequent approval.
State program-target planning
It is worth noting that the term we are considering is relevant for use at different levels. In terms of economic terms, we are talking about microeconomic planning when it comes to a separate organization, and macroeconomic when it comes to the economy of the entire state.
In the latter case, the above method is considered one of the most common and at the same time effective. He is characterized by all the features discussed earlier. That is, a plan is developed based on the goals of further development of the economy, and then they seek funds for them and determine the most effective and efficient ways of implementation.
Municipal target planning
Before him, in fact, pose the same tasks as before the state. In particular, this concerns the location of new enterprises, interaction with migrants, the development of new territories and depressed areas, etc.
In fact, all methods that include state as well as municipal economic development are divided into several groups. Let's list them.
- Indirect. This includes tax, credit, and customs policies.
- Direct. This is financial regulation in the form of the provision of social subsidies, subsidies, subventions.
- Control over production activities. These are product orders, quotas and compulsory licensing.
- The program-targeted method of planning and management involves the compilation and subsequent implementation of programs aimed at developing priority economic areas. I must say that this method includes all the others, and therefore it is considered the most effective. It allows you to achieve what none of the above methods individually is capable of.
Summary
The essence that lies behind the term program-target planning is that it allows you to reject the main economic, social and scientific and technical goals aimed at the development of society and the state as a whole. In this case, it is necessary to develop specific measures aimed at achieving the planned goals, establish exact timelines and monitor the process of implementing previously planned actions.
Program-targeted planning method requires a documentary base. If we are talking about the state, then as a documentary base we use forecasts of socio-economic development, which contain effective measures aimed at further development of the state economy.