Practical Planning

Practical Planning
Author: David E. Wilkins
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 221
Release: 2014-06-28
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 0080514472

Planning, or reasoning about actions, is a fundamental element of intelligent behavior--and one that artificial intelligence has found very difficult to implement. The most well-understood approach to building planning systems has been under refinement since the late 1960s and has now reached a level of maturity where there are good prospects for building working planners. Practical Planning is an in-depth examination of this classical planning paradigm through an intensive case study of SIPE, a significantly implemented planning system. The author, the developer of SIPE, defines the planning problem in general, explains why reasoning about actions is so complex, and describes all parts of the SIPE system and the algorithms needed to achieve efficiency. Details are discussed in the context of problems and important issues in building a practical planner; discussions of how other systems address these issues are also included. Assuming only a basic background in AI, Practical Planning will be of great interest to professionals interested in incorporating planning capabilities into AI systems.

The Practical Pocket Guide to Account Planning

The Practical Pocket Guide to Account Planning
Author: Chris Kocek
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2013
Genre: Advertising
ISBN: 9780989284905

The Practical Pocket Guide to Account Planning provides a straightforward, no nonsense approach to understanding what Account Planners do on a daily basis and how they do it. Filled with real world examples, amusing anecdotes, and useful techniques for getting to better insights, The Practical Pocket Guide provides a clear path for how Account Planners can collaborate with Creatives to produce great work that is insightful, engaging, and culturally infectious. In this engaging 2-hour read, you'll learn: the difference between most Account Planning job descriptions and day-to-day realities, critical planning skills, including: concept testing, copy testing, discussion guides, positioning, and the basics of good research, techniques for writing better briefs and ideas for how to lead more engaging briefings, and how to be an ally to Creatives so that together you can sell big, culturally infectious ideas to Clients. Whether you're a Client, a Creative, an Account Manager, or an aspiring Account Planner, this book will help you understand how Planners think and what great Planning can really do.

A Practical Guide to Program Evaluation Planning

A Practical Guide to Program Evaluation Planning
Author: Marc A. Zimmerman
Publisher: SAGE
Total Pages: 185
Release: 2009
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1412967759

This book guides evaluators in planning a comprehensive, yet practical, program evaluation—from start to design—within any context, in an accessible manner.

Strategic Planning

Strategic Planning
Author: Stanley Charles Abraham
Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing
Total Pages: 268
Release: 2012-01-11
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1780525214

This book is exceptional treatise on strategic planning for single-business companies that is at once academically rigorous and uncommonly practical.

Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations

Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations
Author: Michael Allison
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 436
Release: 2011-01-11
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1118039866

Your total guide to putting a powerful management tool to work in your organization Why strategic planning? Because a well wrought strategic plan helps you set priorities and acquire and allocate the resources needed to achieve your goals. It provides a framework for analyzing and quickly adapting to future challenges. And it helps all board and staff members focus more clearly on your organization's priorities, while building commitment and promoting cooperation and innovation But to be effective, your plan will need to address the special needs of the nonprofit sector. And for more than a decade, Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations has been the number-one source of guidance on all facets of strategic planning for managers at nonprofits of every size and budget. This thoroughly revised, updated, and expanded edition arms you with the expert knowledge and tools you need to develop and implement surefire strategic plans, including tested-in-the-trenches worksheets, checklists, and tables--in print and on the companion website--along with a book-length case study that lets you observe strategic planning in action. Packed with real-world insights and practical pointers, it shows you how to: Develop a clear mission, vision, and set of values Conduct SWOT analyses and program evaluations Assess client needs and determine stakeholder concerns Set priorities and develop core strategies, goals, and objectives Balance the dual bottom lines of mission and money Write and implement a solid strategic plan Develop a user-friendly annual work plan Establish planning cycles, gauge progress, and update strategies

Practical Periodontal Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

Practical Periodontal Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
Author: Serge Dibart
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 188
Release: 2013-05-17
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1118710673

Practical Periodontal Diagnosis and Treatment Planningoffers its readers a step-by-step guide to diagnosing and planningtreatment for periodontal patients through the latestevidence-based protocols. It summarizes the available scientificevidence for efficacy and effectiveness and links it to everydayclinical practice in a concise, user-friendly manner. Practical Periodontal Diagnosis and Treatment Planningbegins with the basics of periodontal diagnosis, following thelatest classification by the AAP. Modifiable andnon-modifiable risk factors are assessed in detail, emphasizing thetreatment planning intricacies associated with each one. The bookdiscusses all presentations of periodontal disease ranging fromgingivitis to aggressive periodontitis, highlighting topics such asocclusion, scaling and root planning. The full range of treatmentmodalities are also presented, providing practical instruction forosseous resective surgery, regenerative and supportive periodontaltherapy, and dental implant complication management. Designed to improve and expand the reader’s repertoire ofclinical skills, Practical Periodontal Diagnosis and TreatmentPlanning provides comprehensive coverage of this core part ofperiodontal training in a concise, highly illustrated, step-by-stepformat.

Practical Guide to Project Planning

Practical Guide to Project Planning
Author: Ricardo Viana Vargas
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 234
Release: 2007-10-01
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1420045059

Practical Guide to Project Planning is filled with project documents and templates ready to use for planning and managing project. It explains project analysis and modeling techniques so these documents and templates can be used for effective project management. In addition, the book is also a guide to best practices that comply with the PMI

Five-phase Project Management

Five-phase Project Management
Author: Joseph Weiss
Publisher: Basic Books
Total Pages: 144
Release: 1992-06-21
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780201563160

Starting and managing new projects in organizations requires creativity and teamwork. Project planning and implementation are often blocked by confusion and conflict over goals, methodologies, and communication bottlenecks. 5-Phase Project Management offers the best project management practices in a simple, easy-to-use format for all project managers. In this practical, step-by-step book, Joe Weiss and Bob Wysocki walk you through each phase of a complex project: definition, planning, implementation, management, and maintenance.

Planning and Conducting Needs Assessments

Planning and Conducting Needs Assessments
Author: Belle Ruth Witkin
Publisher: SAGE
Total Pages: 332
Release: 1995-09-07
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780803958104

"Sometimes a book appears on your desk that successfully defines a field. You look at the book and say "thank you." Planning and Conducting Needs Assessments is such a book. . . . This book is clearly grounded in program planning and is not an afterthought or add-on to some other field. . . . I am excited to see this book appear in print. It clearly fills a niche that has been empty for some time: a practical approach to learning about and conducting needs assessments. . . . This is a marvelous book that should make a significant contribution to the field." --From the Foreword by Nick Eastmond, Utah State University "While it has the depth and breadth to be used in a classroom, Planning and Conducting Needs Assessments is written simply and directly enough to be a hands-on guide for needs assessment users and practitioners. The framework proposed by the authors is excellent in that it is readily understood and focuses attention on the most important details/issues in needs assessment practice. The fact that they also present an explanation of so many tools, including examples, makes the book required reading for anyone intending to plan or contract for a needs assessment." --John Theiss, Director of Planning and Evaluation, Texas

Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations

Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations
Author: Michael Allison
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 304
Release: 2015-04-06
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1118768140

The bestselling guide to nonprofit planning, with proven, practical advice Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations describes a proven method for creating an effective, organized, actionable strategy, tailored to the unique needs of the nonprofit organization. Now in its third edition, this bestselling manual contains new information about the value of plans, specific guidance toward business planning, and additional information about the strategic plan document itself. Real-world case studies illustrate different planning and implementation scenarios and techniques, and the companion website offers templates, tools, and worksheets that streamline the process. The book provides expert insight, describing common misperceptions and pitfalls to avoid, helping readers craft a strategic plan that adheres to the core values of the organization. A well-honed strategic plan helps nonprofit managers set priorities, and acquire and allocate the resources necessary to achieve their goals. It also provides a framework for handling challenges, and keeps the focus on the organization's priorities. Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations is an excellent source of guidance for managers at nonprofits of every size and budget, helping readers to: Identify the reasons for planning, and gather information from internal and external stakeholders Assess the current situation accurately, and agree on priorities, mission, values, and vision Prioritize goals and objectives for the plan, and develop a detailed implementation strategy Evaluate and monitor a changing environment, updating roles, goals, and parameters as needed Different organizations have different needs, processes, resources, and priorities. The one thing they have in common is the need for a no-nonsense approach to planning with practical guidance and a customizable framework. Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations takes the fear out of planning, with expert guidance on the nonprofit's most vital management activity.