Editing Plan (section)

{{Short description|List of steps with details of timing and resources, used to achieve a goal}}
{{other uses}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{More footnotes|date=October 2013}}
{{Refimprove|date=October 2013}}
}}

A '''plan''' is typically any [[diagram]] or list of steps with details of timing and resources, used to achieve an [[Goal|objective]] to do something. It is commonly understood as a [[modal logic|temporal]] [[set (mathematics)|set]] of intended actions through which one expects to achieve a [[goal]].

For [[space|spatial]] or [[Plane (geometry)|planar]] [[topology|topologic]] or [[topography|topographic]] sets see [[map]].
  
Plans can be formal or informal:
* Structured and formal plans, used by multiple people, are more likely to occur in [[project]]s, [[diplomacy]], [[career]]s, [[economic development]], [[military]] campaigns, [[combat]], [[sports]], [[games]], or in the conduct of other [[business]]. In most cases, the absence of a well-laid plan can have adverse effects: for example, a non-robust project plan can cost the organization time and money.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pmhut.com/what-should-be-included-in-a-project-plan |title=What Should Be Included in a Project Plan |access-date=December 18, 2009 |website=www.pmhut.com|date=9 June 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.forecastingprinciples.com/paperpdf/Value%20of%20Formal%20Planning.pdf | title = The Value of Formal Planning for Strategic Decisions: A Reply | author = J. Scott Armstrong | journal = Strategic Management Journal | volume = 7 | issue = 2 | pages = 183–185| year = 1986 | doi=10.1002/smj.4250070207| s2cid = 29733040 }}</ref>
* Informal or [[ad hoc]] plans are created by individuals in all of their pursuits.

The most popular ways to describe plans are by their breadth, time frame, and specificity; however, these planning classifications are not independent of one another. For instance, there is a close relationship between the short- and long-term categories and the strategic and operational categories.

It is common for less formal plans to be created as abstract ideas, and remain in that form as they are maintained and put to use. More formal plans as used for business and military purposes, while initially created with and as an abstract thought, are likely to be written down, drawn up or otherwise stored in a form that is accessible to multiple people across time and space. This allows more reliable collaboration in the execution of the plan.