
“Plans are useless after the first shot is fired.” – Military Adage (attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte)
I’m a strong proponent of planning – project plans, budget plans, travel plans. Even weekend plans. Schedules and plans help me accomplish my goals. However, most plans have to be changed as soon as the action begins.
So, if I can’t always follow the plans I develop, then why plan at all?
Good plans include key elements that remain in place even when the plan changes, due to unforeseen events. These key elements are: