Mega Planning – the How and Why

About Mega Planning

The aim of Sustainability Planning is preserving the environment and/or use of non-renewable resources. Triple Bottom Line adds to this a societal component.

Mega Planning goes beyond Sustainability and Triple Bottom Line. It is the creation of Roger Kaufman, Professor Emeritus of Florida State University and is part of his Organizational Elements Model, a planning methodology that aligns the Mega, Macro and Micro levels of planning as the means to selecting the Processes and Inputs required.

Why do it?

For your organisation to have a future, it must think beyond itself to a world that others share. On five continents, over 40 years, Kaufman found that despite all their differences, people agree that they want a world for their children’s children. Kaufman established an Ideal Vision of such a world – a world of opportunity for all. This Vision is measureable in terms of indicators such as crime, war, disease, biodiversity. This is a guiding star, something to which we all aspire. If your organization is aiming at that Vision, it will be continuously relevant, it will always have a future.

People become enthusiastic when they know that they are part an organisation that is committed to doing good while doing well! They are happy to belong and to contribute through their work. This is an essential for employee engagement.

What is it?

Mega Planning starts with a Minimum Ideal Vision. The organisation selects which part of this Vision they want to help create (Mega level) by their activities, and then determines the goals and objectives necessary to be successful (Macro and Micro levels) while achieving this. It clearly separates Ends (where you want to be) from Means (how you are going to get there), and sets up clear and measurable objectives at every level.

How do you do it?

Most organisations start from Kaufman’s Minimum Ideal Vision (or our Extended Minimum Ideal Vision). Add to it anything that is ‘local’ and inspiring to you. Select the part that your organisation will help create (Mega level). Then define the objectives for the organisation to be successful, profitable, etc. (Macro level) within Mega. Then define the goals that teams and individuals have to achieve for the organisation to achieve its goals (Micro level). These are all Ends – where you want to be. Only then do you select the Means – how you will get there. The Means are the Processes (activities) and Inputs (resources) required to achieve the objectives at each level.

How can I apply it?

You can use the ‘easy start’ methodology developed by Leaderskill and published in the article: “Start up Mega – A Case History”.