A conceptual analysis of organizational plans

The present paper examines the mechanisms underlying organizational planning. Several perspectives on planning are reviewed. Based on this review a new model of planning is proposed. This framework is based on the ACT$\sp\*$ theory of human cognition. A hierarchical plan structure is proposed, such that the plan is composed of successive levels of goals, ranging from the abstract to the specific. Based on this approach several predictions are derived and tested in the context of three laboratory experiments. The first two experiments focus on the planning sequence. It was predicted that individuals would plan in a goal-by-goal order, full elaborating one goal before moving on to the next. These predictions were generally supported, although there were some negative findings. The third experiment focused on plan revision in the face of negative feedback. It was predicted that the goals most proximal to the point of failure were most likely to be revised. These results were quite favorable. Both sets of findings are discussed in the context of the planning frameworks mentioned earlier. Limitations of the present model are noted, and suggestions are made for future research