Why you should always have a plan?

Over the last 4 months, I was working on a project of accounting services to a manufacturing company, named 'Prottoy Feed'. It was my first project regarding accounting services. Even though I was not responsible for the project failure as I was assigned as a junior team member to the project team, I always had a to do list for next day. This is why I believe my performance was better than any other junior in the firm. After three months, when my project manager switched the job, he has recommended me for the assignment. Our client also gave a positive review regarding my work. As a result, I became responsible for the project and have completed the project successfully. I think the main reason for the success of the project is planning.

Here I'm giving few reasons, why I believe planning is important:

Priorities: A plan will help you clarify your most important priorities. Your boss and other people may have a set of priorities for you. But what about you? If you have a to-do list, it'll inform important jobs to do.

Clear focus: This includes having a plan will help you to focus on what must be included in your project as well as any other features you would like to include if your budget allows.

Maintaining balance: A plan will enable you to maintain balance. Some people sacrifice their personal life for their career. Others sacrifice their health or their relationship with their family. But what if you could have robust health, a happy family, and a successful career? I think it is possible, but only if you have a proper plan regarding your job and personal life.

Filters: A plan will provide a filter by which you can say “no” to lesser things. Once you have said “yes” to what matters most, you are in a great position to say “no” to those activities that matter less. Suddenly you have the clarity and the courage to manage your opportunities rather than to be managed by others.

Empowerment: A plan will empower you to identify and address your current facts. You can’t do what you want to do unless you start with what you are doing. You have to know what are the most negative factors to fail and operations you need to improve.

Road map: A plan will serve as a road map for accomplishing what matters most. Once you know where you are and where you are going, you are in a position to create an action plan for getting there. It doesn’t have to be complicated, but you do have to identify the mile-markers and waypoints along the journey.

​Finally, I think planning has a crucial role in project's success. Not having a plan is akin to shooting in the dark and hoping to hit your target. You may hit it or you may not, but either way, there’s no feedback, so the source of success (if any) is unattributable. In other words, without linking feedback to intention, the ability to measure, adjust, and adapt for purpose become additional wasted shots.