What is Plan: Definition and 195 Discussions

A plan is typically any diagram or list of steps with details of timing and resources, used to achieve an objective to do something. It is commonly understood as a temporal set of intended actions through which one expects to achieve a goal.
For spatial or planar topologic or topographic sets see map.
Plans can be formal or informal:

Structured and formal plans, used by multiple people, are more likely to occur in projects, diplomacy, careers, 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.
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.

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  1. brianeyes88677

    Understanding the Focal Plan of Parallel Light Through a Thin Lens

    Why does parallel light focus on the focal plan when enters a thin lens at an angle θ? How to proof that mathematically?
  2. N

    Pace and plan at which I can get into particle physics

    Hi guys! Sorry for a really dumb question, but I want to study particle physics more in depth, since our university course didn't really satisfy me that much (and, when it comes to physics, I want to know everything I can get to). Can someone give me a general list of things I should know and...
  3. B

    Seeking Advice on my Plan for Calculus Self-Study Textbooks

    Dear PF friends, I am a sophomore with double majors in microbiology and mathematics (just declared on last week) doing research on the computational/quantitative biology research in the field of virology. In future, I want to go to a graduate school in either virology or computational biology...
  4. D

    Study Plan for Astronautic Systems

    Hello everyone, I'm a math and philosophy double major currently in my junior year at University. So far, I've spent the better half of two years studying philosophy and have five credits to go before I complete the major (focused primarily on philosophy of science, and epistemology). This...
  5. F

    Plan of action (undergraduate)

    Hello, I'm a freshman physics and math double major, and would like to eventually be a theoretical physicist, though, of course, it is still early so my career ambitions may change. At this point many of my goals are rooted more so in what seems appealing to me than in practical...
  6. B

    Best path for studying physics and computer science

    I am a senior right now in high school and am pretty much deciding the beginning of the rest of my career right now. Ultimately, I would love to study both physics and computer science with either a double major or with computational physics. I love learning about mathematics, physics, computer...
  7. J

    Lockheed SkunkWorks Fusion plan

    In the news today, several articles about Lockheed's ambitious five or ten year plan. eg this one from the Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-business/wp/2014/10/15/nuclear-fusion-energy-in-a-decade-lockheed-martin-is-betting-on-it/ This one from Aviation Week...
  8. T

    Plan for a prospective "warp theorist"

    Hi everybody! I have really like the concept of warp drive, and working on it is a strong candidate for a future career for me. I was wondering if anyone knew what plan I should take to go towards the goal of working to create the first Faster than Light Spacecraft. And no, I didn't see...
  9. J

    Why is preferable the line integral than the area integral over C plan

    Why is preferable to use the line integral than the area integral over the complex plane?
  10. srfriggen

    Help designing fun lesson plan with permutations, combinations, etc

    Hello everyone, I am an aspiring math teacher taking a workshop type class and in two weeks my group will be teaching the other students various topics on probability. We are trying to come up with a fun and interactive way to teach the counting principle, permutations, and combinations. To...
  11. B

    MHB Converting Inches to Feet in a Floor Plan Scale

    I have a floor plan where 1/8 inch = 1 ft. The architect labeled the square footage in each room, but not the measurements from wall to wall, so I measured with a ruler and now I'm having a difficult time converting from inches to feet. I'll use one rectangular room as an example. My...
  12. srfriggen

    Wisdom of the Crowd for lesson plan

    Hello, I'm in an aspiring high school math teacher who is in his first math-teaching course, and we have split into groups that must teach the class for 2 weeks a different subject. My group is "data analysis and probability." I was trying to come up with a fun lesson for the class and...
  13. B

    Horizontal force outward inclined plan.

    Homework Statement A block of 5 kg is on plane that is inclined of 37°, an outward (It is not directed toward the plane but it drags the the block horizontally away) horizontal force of 50 N is applied on the . The friction coefficient of that plane is 0,30. What is the total force that is...
  14. I

    Engineering Correction to my academic plan to become a Drilling engineer

    I am currently a transfer student doing a BA in physics and two minors in business. At this time I cannot change my major unless it is advisable to go back and complete a BS in physics instead of completing a BA. I want to be able to secure my chances of landing a entry level Drilling...
  15. P

    Research interest, career plan, academic goal for REU

    Hello all, I'm a Mathematics and Physics major, currently in my junior year. Being an international student, it is extremely hard for me to find summer REU, so I could only find around 9 places. Even so, they only say that they MIGHT accommodate around 1-2 internationals. As such, I want to...
  16. phinds

    News The President's Power to Initiate War: A Historical Perspective

    Let'm go, then kill'm with drone strikes http://news.yahoo.com/al-qaida-branch-confirms-no-2-killed-yemen-102604944.html
  17. C

    Pressure Law - Can someone help me plan an experiment?

    Homework Statement I need to investigate and model how changing temperature in a car tyre will affect the pressure. To do this, I have to use a syringe, along with any other laboratory equipment. I'm also given the cross sectional area and volume of the syringe. Homework Equations The...
  18. N

    So I Have Summer Filled With Nothing to Do Help Me Fix That(Math Plan)

    Need Advice On Which Math(s) to Learn & Which Order to Learn Them In So my major is in theoretical physics and I am interested in quantum computing. Will be completing single variable this term and thought "hmm why not get ahead". So I am going to use this summer to get as far ahead as...
  19. Andre

    Uncovering Drassic's Secret Engagement Plan

    I shared this story with friends earlier about how my daughter got her engagement ring and I think it's worth pasting it here. Anyway, her Bf 'Drassic' had been acting strange for several weeks, doing things a little bit in secrecy for weeks, and he always was short on money, with all kind of...
  20. F

    Quick Question Regarding Smooth Inclined Plan

    Homework Statement an block of mass 6kg is sliding down an inclined plane inclined at 45° to the horizontal. Find the acceleration of the mass. Homework Equations F=ma The Attempt at a Solution Is it correct that the weight times sin45 will equal ma, because that's how i first did...
  21. S

    Need advice regarding my plan.

    My plan is to study PhB at ANU (science research-focused degree) and major is probably physics and chemistry or physiology or neuroscience and once I complete the degree after 3 years I can do MBBS/PhD which is 4 years of post grad medicine and then 3 years of PhD doing 'cutting edge medical...
  22. A

    Courses A Course Plan to Master General Relativity

    So this is purely for self-study purposes. Say I'm very keen on understanding GR well, but I don't even have the prerequisites done for even starting to grasp GR. Would anyone be able to give an outline of the skills necessary in understanding GR? An outline would look something like this...
  23. S

    Please, help with observation plan

    Hello! How do you prepare observations at profesional telescopes? How many objects it is possible to observe during one night? I have to choose an observatory and prepare a proposal (as a homework) and I would like to receive guidance on the steps to follow. Thanks! :-)
  24. H

    Career plan for a science enthusiast.

    I am 17 year old Indian, I'll complete high school in a few months. I love science. My lust for physics is well beyond school books (which are trivial and boring). I learned the Feynman Lectures on Physics (all three Volumes) almost three years ago (This is just to give you an idea). I have a...
  25. B

    Research Plan w/o giving away ideas

    Can anyone offer advice on how to write a research plan for an academic position (in physics) that is competent and believable without giving away the farm and all your ideas? It seems to me these two things are mutually exclusive. A committee will not be convinced without a believable plan...
  26. B

    Studying My Study Plan for Physics: 17 Years Old from South Africa

    Hi all, I'm a 17 year old student from South Africa and I have a few questions about how/where to study physics. I also really like computers and how they work and I also love programming. First of all my long term goal is to eventually get my phd in physics. I want to go study my bsc physics...
  27. jtbell

    Do you share a cellphone plan with your girl/boyfriend?

    If you do, see what you're in for if you break up: Till death of cell phone contract do us part
  28. M

    Plan to take 'engineering physics' next semester, how much Calculus will I need?

    New to Physics Forums, been browsing a while! I'm a student trying to get into a Mechanical Engineering program, currently in Calculus I. I plan next semester to enroll in 'Engineering Physics' which, as far as I have heard, is general physics taught with Calculus instead of relying solely on...
  29. mheslep

    News Progress in Afghanistan: International Support, Articulated Plan?

    Since the invasion in 2001, I count 27 countries that have sent troops to Afghanistan at one time or another. But I'm finding it difficult to determine which nations are still involved? There are news reports over the years about who has left, though that's long way around to arrive at today's...
  30. N

    Courses Is the One Course At a Time Plan the Future of Higher Education?

    "One Course At a Time Plan" http://www.cornellcollege.edu/academics/ocaat/index.shtml What do you guys think about this? Instead of taking 8 courses a year, that is four per semester, you get to take each course in a block of 3.5 weeks. You take a total of 8 classes throughout the year which...
  31. H

    Ideas for a 7-minute lesson plan (biology)

    Hello there, I am new to this forum and am looking for a little advice. I have to conduct a 7-minute lesson plan in front of a high school biology class as part of a selection process for a teacher residency program. I seem to be stumped on finding an activity that will; a. be within the...
  32. G

    Medical Should you not do a meal plan?

    Hi, I'm not really sure if this should go here but I was wondering if it would be a good idea to not have a meal plan for next semester and save like 2000 dollars. I think it would cost more money to get my own food. But I thought maybe if I got like 50 pounds of rice that would last me for...
  33. P

    Where is the Hottest Part of a Flame?

    Hypothesis: The hottest part of the flame can be found at x located just above the u un burn gas Aim: By placing a thermometer at different points on a non luminous flame to verify the hottest part of the flame.
  34. P

    What is the most effective way to measure flame temperature?

    Hypothesis: The hottest part of the flame can be found at x located just above the unburn gas. Aim: To investigate how the temperature of a flame varies with the height of the top of the burner. Help please getting a lot of trouble with method and how to obtain results.
  35. L

    Do past failures affect your cumulative grade? (EU/ECTS/Bologne plan concern)

    I have recently been informed that in my country(Spain, which is adapting to the Bologne process), past failing grades will still show up on the transcript, along with the number of times you have taken the final exam. Is this detrimental for graduate school or work in the UK? Does your...
  36. P

    Math Intent on getting pure math PHD, start plan B now?

    Basically what I mean by my title is that I am intent on getting a PHD in pure math because I love the subject, and am still young enough to do it without throwing the rest of my life into disarray. But beyond that I need to have a plan. Plan A is clearly to go on to do several post-docs...
  37. mheslep

    News Paul's Detailed Budget Plan is released

    Hard but necessary. Even if Paul has little chance there is important relevant value in this budget plan. Going forward in the GOP primary process this should force more details out of the other candidates which is a good thing. In my opinion the other candidates should have already roughed...
  38. Evo

    News Does Rick perry have a plan to fix the US economy?

    With the rise in Texas unemployment, the rise in Texas high school dropouts, one of the highest levels of workers being paid minimum wage and below due to the lack of education in Texas, does Perry have a plan to prevent this from happening to the US if he was elected? With a track record...
  39. C

    Study plan for Spivak's Calculus

    The main textbook for my calculus course is much easier to grasp than Spivak's, and I may be in risk of getting behind the class, as I take much more time in each subject when using spivak instead of the indicated book. Then, I was thinking about solving all the exercises on spivak which...
  40. A

    Programs Need advice on Possible Plan leading to a PhD in 7 years after HS

    This is a follow-up to some of the advice I was given at the thread I created called "Shortest Path to a PhD in Math or Theoretical Physics" and here it is for reference: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=521408 After looking around on the internet here is a path which I could...
  41. russ_watters

    News Did Obama's Budget Proposals Hide His True Economic Plan?

    During debt negotiations, Obama negotiated with House Republicans behind closed doors on a plan that ultimately House Republicans would submit for a vote - and for CBO analysis. So except for the the soundbyte/rhetoric version, we never really got to see what Obama really wanted for the...
  42. N

    Critique my schedule plan

    Semester 3 Introduction to Computers 3 15 Scientific programming 3 Calculus I 4 College Survival 1 E Physics I 4 Semester 4 Calculus II 4 15 College Chem 4 Mathematical Analysis III 3 Engineering Physics II 4 Semester 5 Calc III 4 16 Linear Algebra 3 Differential...
  43. T

    How Can I Plan to Become a Universal Engineer?

    I would like to have job tasks that are as interdisciplinary as possible. I'm trying to avoid boring routine work; regularly growing my skills and knowledge. Could aerospace and chemical engineering accomplish this goal? Also, is it common to work as an interdisciplinary engineer after you pass...
  44. S

    Engineering Club Prosthetic Hand Project Plan

    Several friends and I are part of my high schools engineering club, and I've thrown the idea around of us trying to make a prosthetic hand. Before we go and try to convince our advisor to ok a complex project that seems like it might be off little benefit I want to be able to pitch the idea of...
  45. R

    Calculating relativistic mass of neutrons, wrote out my plan please critique

    Homework Statement I am given an equation, say (239/94)Pu-->(110/53)Fe+(125/41)Nb+4neutrons I am asked to calculate the relativistic energy so I do that. Q=m(left)-m(right)c^2 I know that m(left)=m(Pu) I know that m(right)=m(110Fe)+m(125Nb)+4m(neutron) (i put the answer into MeV for...
  46. T

    Starting my EE degree next fall, help me plan my summer

    I come from Quebec, which means I had to go to Cegep (it's a post-secondary school required to attend Universities). There's 2 main "branches" to go to electrical engineering at uni here: 1) Complete a "general sciences" 2 years course at Cegep, which is what I did. It's the normal path to...
  47. A

    Answer: Are Pln & Line Othogonal/Parallel? Solution to (-x+2z=10)

    Homework Statement Determin if the plan given by (-x+2z=10) and the line given by r=<5,2-t,10+4t> are othogonal,parllel or neither?? What is the solution?
  48. R

    Normal Incident Plan Wave

    Homework Statement (a) A plan wave is in seawater is normally incident on the water-air interface. Find the pressure and intensity transmission coefficients. (b) Repeat (a) for a wave in air normally incident on the air-water interface. (c) For (a) and (b) find the change in pressure and...
  49. M

    What are the best tests and statistics indicators for analyzing algae data?

    Hello, I’m preparing a research report in Aqua maritime specialty; my case study concerns the Macro alga. My case: My issue is that there are a lot of tests procedures and statistics indicators those could be used so that I can’t figure out which tests should I take on consideration? Which...
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