NCJ Number
103002
Date Published
1986
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This third in a series of independent study lessons on police supervision projected action. Planning is essential to supervision. It clarifies objectives, serves as a guide, improves practices, and makes the best use of resources. Planning involves five major steps: recognition of the need for a plan, formulation of objectives, investigation and analysis, proposal for action, and decision.
Abstract
Every good plan must consider the four components of objectives, resources, method, and control. To avoid some common pitfalls, plans should be kept simple and flexible. Plans may be managerial, operational, procedural, tactical, or extradepartmental. Within a hierarchy of plans, there are three groups: single-use, standing, and overall goal plans. Planning requires both problemsolving and decisionmaking skills. Sound decisionmaking requires that the supervisor identify the problem, determine factors affecting it, develop alternative solutions, analyze their consequences, and select the best alternative. Progress checks and a comprehensive lesson examination are provided. For other lessons in this series, see NCJ 103000-103001 and NCJ 103003-103008.