COURSE OVERVIEW:

Plans are projected courses of action aimed at achieving future goals. They provide clear objectives and map the activities need to reach them effectively. Plans may be long term, like the strategic plans that guide the entire organisation or they may be shorter term operational plans.

Think of a strategic plan as the wheels that steer the entire organisation in a chosen direction and operational plans as the rudders that guide it and fine-tune its direction.

Good planning is an important management skill which helps managers identify and concentrate on important issues.

Managers prepare and manage operational plans. In this role they use their management and leadership skills. By being aware of their organisation’s strategic plans and business plans, they are able to ensure the objectives and activities in their operational plans reflect their department and organisation’s goals and objectives.

An operational plan shows how an area of operations will work to achieve one or more organisational or departmental objectives. Operational plans are shorter term than the strategic and business plans they support, generally looking ahead one week to one year. As the plan becomes more short term, their precision increases.

The purpose of the operational plan should align with the organisation's vision, mission, goals and objectives as detailed in the strategic and business plans.

An effective manager develops the operational plan in consultation with those who will put the plan into operation, or may be impacted by or have a stake in the implementation of the operational plan.

This course is designed to provide practical advice on how to design & implement operational plans. Tools and techniques for developing an operational plan, planning and managing resource acquisition and finally monitoring and reviewing operational performance will be demonstrated.

The first part of this course describes models and methods for operational plans. Then discusses how to develop and implement an operational plan using a variety of information sources and consultation. Also, discusses the approaches to developing key performance indicators to meet business objectives. Then explains the role of an operational plan in achieving the organisation’s objectives.

The second part looks at how to communicate effectively with stakeholders to explain the plan and supporting information, seek approvals, negotiate variations and engage work teams. Also, outlines the organisation’s policies, practices and procedures that directly relate to the operational plan. Finally, discusses how to develop and implement strategies to achieve the operational plan within the organisation’s policies, practices and procedures.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand:

• What is an operational plan?
• The types of planning and types of plans
• What is operational planning?
• What is included in a typical operational plan?
• The stages of operational planning
• How to develop an operational plan?
• The importance of consulting with relevant stakeholders
• How to develop consultation processes?
• How to establish realistic operational goals and objectives?
• How to research, analyse and document resource requirements?
• The resources required to implement an operational plan
• How to set key performance indicators to measure organisational performance?
• Why key performance indicators should reflect the organisational goals?
• Why key performance indicators must be key to organisational success?
• Why key performance indicators must be quantifiable?
• How to develop and implement contingency plans?
• The objectives of contingency planning
• The contingency planning challenges
• How to develop proposals for resource requirements?
• The typical resource plan format
• How to conduct a cost-benefit analysis?
• How to present proposals and obtain approval for operational plan?
• How to plan and manage resource acquisition?
• How to develop and implement strategies for acquiring human and physical resources and services?
• How to review operational performance?
• The difference between performance monitoring and performance management
• How to develop operational performance systems and processes?
• The importance of operational performance systems and processes
• How to assess progress in achieving profit and productivity plans and targets?
• How to monitor and measure operational performance?
• The five characteristics of an effective monitoring process
• The three steps of the monitoring and measuring process
• The operational monitoring tools
• How to identify areas of under-performance, recommend solutions and take prompt action to rectify the situation?
• How to analyse and interpret budget and actual financial information to monitor and review profit and productivity performance?
• How to prepare variance reports?
• How to investigate performance gaps?
• How to negotiate recommendations for variations to plans and gain approval?
• How to provide mentoring and coaching to support individuals and teams?
• How to develop and implement systems to manage procedures and records associated with documenting performance?

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.