Analysis of Installation-Level Planning Requirements
Abstract
Management of real property facilities, training ranges, and the natural environment at Army installations is influenced by many factors, both internal and external. Guiding this management is a collection of plans written to aid decision makers. The planning procedures and contents of the planning documents are specified in Army Regulations (AR), Army Pamphlets (PAM), and other guidance documents. A given installation may have twenty or more functional area plans focused on a particular aspect of installation operations. Task specialization and functional departmentalization allow large installations to perform complex activities, but the stovepipe mentality also inhibits information flow and coordination. Fragmented and disconnected planning is a common complaint at Army installations. Addressing this issue requires an understanding of current policy and practice, as well as an understanding of how to enhance integration in planning. This paper describes the results of research conducted at the policy level. Army policy documents were reviewed to determine what the planning requirements are, how these requirements relate to each other, and how these policies do (or do not) support integration. It was found that commonalities exist between the planning policies, but that there is no common framework. The regulations indicate that coordination should occur, and the primary method of coordination is through stakeholder meetings. Much of the procedures are generic and recommended, rather than prescriptive. This system allows for adaptation, interpretation and adjustment, but it also allows for many of the recommended procedures to be ignored. This paper proposes five elements of an integrated framework. These are: 1) common vision, purpose or goals, 2) common data source, 3) crossfunctional coordination, 4) supporting organizational structure and, 5) overarching management system.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA593169