If planning does not stop problems Why do we plan?

If planning doesn't fix all of an organization's problems, then its problems aren't planning-related. They must be caused by other issues, such as power struggles among Executives. As Project Managers we need to identify the root cause of problems impacting our projects and deal with them the best we can - even if the problem is Management itself.

I love this question!

I have had to explain to people who don't see the value of project management or PMs in the past. I used the analogy that we can all relate to. If i am going to the grocery store, it may behoove me to have a list of items that i need. It is not a must have to come prepared with a list but without a list, i may end up buying things i don't need, spend more time walking the aisles, spend more than i budgeted for and to crown it all, i may even not remember to buy what i really came to the store for. Most people on this forum can relate on some level to that.

With planning, it is similar, if we don't plan, we end up investing in products or services that we don't need and taking a lot of time and resources to scrap it later.

Good planning helps organizations, i repeat good planning, not just planning helps organizations to minimize project risks, give a clear direction of what initiatives to invest in, reduce waste and maximize opportunities that lead to successful projects.

Philippe - I totally agree with your statement, I should say I STRONGLY agree...

How many times planning is just used as documentation gathering and files generated are never to be seen, never to be updated, nerver to be remembered.... Some times they're just generated because was asked by someone...

Let me respectfully disagree here. While i write books that sometimes do not have an ending defined as I initiate work, I could never afford to do that with a project. My philosophy, expressed frequently to my consultants, and still to this day to my students, is there is a conceptual stake in the ground (Point 'A' - The Requirements, and another logical or physical stake in the ground (Point 'B' - The expected result or outcome). if you arrive at Point 'C', due to imperfect planning, or the absence thereof, you are cheating yourself, the client, and those who relied on your professionalism to get it right.

Aren't you planning you day (personal or professional) does it progress like you plan?

You plan to prioritize, structure avoid time wasted.

you day is exactly like you plan it every days? Not mine, but I keep planning!

Project are the same, just more people involve