A
plan is typically any diagram or list of steps with timing and resources, used to achieve an
objective. See also
strategy. It is commonly understood as a
temporal set of intended actions through which one expects to achieve a
goal. For
spatial or
planar topologic or
topographic sets see
map. Plans can be formal or informal:
- Structured and formal plans, used by multiple people, are more likely to occur in projects, diplomacy, careers, economic development, military campaigns, combat, sports, games, or in the conduct of other business. In most cases, the absence of a well-laid plan can have adverse effects: for example, a non-robust project plan can cost the organization time and money.
- Informal or ad hoc plans are created by individuals in all of their pursuits.