Title: Stages of operational planning
Course: Health Management, Ethics and Research - Ethiopia (Full)

Stages of operational planning

Once the Ethiopian FMOH sets a strategic plan, you may be involved in the district (woreda) planning process to develop operational plans for improving the health of your community (Figure 3.2).

Figure 3.2 Planning your activities will always be more effective if you discuss them with the community. (Photo: AMREF/Sophie Zeegers)

An operational plan outlines important answers to such fundamental questions as:

- What needs to be done?
- How will it be done?
- Who will do it?
- By when must it be done?
- What resources are needed to do it?

There are eight stages in the operational planning process (Box 3.1).

Box 3.1 Stages in planning processes

Stage 1 Situational analysis

Stage 2 Problem identification and prioritisation

Stage 3 Setting objectives

Stage 4 Strategy formulation

Stage 5 Identify and sequence activities

Stage 6 Identify resources

Stage 7 Prepare action plans and schedules

Stage 8 Monitoring