Affiliations: Department of Industrial Engineering and Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, U.S.A.
Note: [*] Adapted with permission from Chapters 4 and 5, G. Nadler, The Planning and Design Approach (Wiley, New York, 1981).
Abstract: Planning and design (P&D) involves the creation or restructuring of a situation-specific solution or system to achieve a purpose or desired results. Over thirty five P&D professions can be identified, yet everyone also engages in P&D. Three objectives measure the success of P&D: maximize the effectiveness of recommended solutions, maximize the likelihood of implemented solutions, and maximize the effectiveness of P&D resources. Several predicaments in P&D professions can be identified as a result of evaluating P&D performance in terms of these objectives. Various approaches to achieving P&D purposes are reviewed to identify points at which improvements can be made. Five intertwined factors along a timeline are identified to demonstrate a different and more effective approach: pursuing a P&D strategy, specifying and presenting a solution, involving people, using information and knowledge, and arranging for continuing change.
