Operational Planning and What a Tool Can Do
The aim of Operational Planning is to align long-term Strategic Planning and actual execution. This is largely done by steering the organisation toward certain goals. Operational Planning is therefore often closely related to Strategic Management.
The purpose of an operational plan is to guide your organisation toward its goals. It also describes your vision, who you are as an organisation, and how you will go about achieving your goals. Usually, an operational plan is limited to one year and is drawn up by management or those responsible for the concerned parts of the organisation.
Operational Planning also ultimately affects operational execution. Everything is tied together by following up your operational data, goals, and/or KPIs. This information is analysed and hopefully followed up with targeted improvement actions.
The operational plan is broken down according to goals, milestones, and action plans out in the organisation at different time periods, and through Strategic Management principles. Often, planning tools are helpful. However, bear in mind not to set too many goals – with fewer goals, you have increased focus. These goals can then be broken down into targets, which are closer to the practical execution.
The Operational Planning process can, and should, be linked to the budgeting process. But preferably, it should also be connected to Financial Scenario Planning, enabling you to plan for current requirements and unexpected developments, and to support future Operational Planning.
Strengthen recurring current-situation analyses and risk analyses with data where possible. Use SMART goals. Involve employees in the development of the plan. And communicate clearly using the annual wheel and system support tools. Although it may sound complicated, it’s essential to draw up a plan based on data and to work actively on the design and execution of the plan.
How does Hypergene help the Public Sector?
- Your control model, including your vision and long-term goals, can be formulated and communicated in Hypergene. This leads to better anchoring and communication of the business goals and mission.
- The various administrations and units create detailed plans and action programmes that clearly connect and align with the strategic goals, based on the organisation’s long-term plan.
- The operations-focused and adapted budget and forecasting tool provides a high level of financial control. Integrations with financial and HR systems simplify the entire process and make detailed actuals available to managers out in the organisation.
- Integrations with business systems provide continuous reporting on current status and operational implementation, providing essential day-to-day support and a common overall view.
- Access to the KPIs, periodic reporting, and the possibility to steer towards the organisation’s goals, make Hypergene an effective support in Quality Management for any area of activity.
- Units can comment on their achievements, and the information can be compiled into standardised internal or external reports such as monthly reports, KPI reports, and quality reports.
- Performance on goals can be analysed based on current operational data, annotated actuals, and results. Hypergene’s reporting capabilities provide significant opportunities to identify underlying causes and to develop and decide on actions.
Hypergene's software provides Decision Support through the collection and presentation of business data to management teams, managers, and those who need to stay on top of Operational Management. Hypergene helps you make decisions, steer towards goals, and achieve higher levels of performance and efficiency.
10-minute video demo of Hypergenes solution: