Saturday 13 June 2009

How plans go wrong

Despite some harsh language, the following story from 'Strategy Bites Back' (book written by Professor Henry Mintzberg et al.) puts the plan-building process into an interesting perspective: 

"The Creation
In the beginning was the plan
And then came the assumptions
And the assumptions were without form
And the plan was completely without substance
And the darkness was upon the face of the workers.
And they spoke unto their group heads,
Saying:
"It is a crock of shit, and it stinketh."
And the group heads went unto their
section and sayeth:
"It is a pail of dung and none may abide
the odour thereof."
And the section heads went unto their
managers and sayeth unto them:
"It is a container of excrement and it is
very strong,
such that none may abide by it."
And the managers went unto their
Director and sayeth unto him:
"It is a vessel of fertilizer, and
none may abide its strength."
And the Directors went unto their
Vice President and sayeth:
"It contains that which aids plant
growth, and it is very strong."
And the Vice President went unto the President and
sayeth unto him,
"It promoteth growth and it is very
powerful."
And the President went unto the Chairman
and sayeth unto him:
"This powerful new plan will actively
promote the growth and
efficiency of the company, and this
area in particular."
And the Chairman looked upon the plan,
and saw that it was good
and the plan became policy.
- anonymous"