Closing the gap between planning and control

Top management responsible for setting objectives, determining organizational purpose and developing appropriate structures are almost always far removed from the harsh realities of implementing plans and subsequent operational control. This paper explores two traditional responses to the problems of planning and control before explaining ways and means for integrating the functions through using the Expectations Approach which appears to offer a bright future for a career in planning and control, and also a constructive aid to the Board wishing to translate strategy into detailed operational programmes. Furthermore, it must be emphasized that in a rapidly changing social, political and industrial relations environment, the integration of planning and control becomes more critical unless planning is to become merely an expression of pious hope rather than a means of achieving the desired future.