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. E

    Trying to come up with a study plan

    Hi, I new to the forum and I am trying to pass my next exam which is on these five topics Center of Mass ,Rotation and Moment of Inertia ,Torque Newton's Law and energy in angular form, Rolling and Angular Momentum. For Physics test I am only good at defining terms but when it comes doing the...
  2. R

    Schools Didn't know where to put this plan for college/uni?

    Didn't know which section to put this under, and just coming here for some advice... I graduated high school almost two years ago and was working the whole time to help out my family's financial situation. Now that things are better, I wanted to apply to a pure mathematics degree. The local...
  3. T

    Schools Recovering from a GPA Drop: Backup Plans for Graduate School Admission

    Last semester really killed my GPA (went from a 3.7 to a 3.35). I'm deathly afraid that this screwed me over for graduate school, so I'm trying to find ideas for something I can fall back on if this doesn't work out. I'm a math major with a very heavy concentration in physics (in fact, I would...
  4. J

    Nuclear fusion finance plan rejected by EU Parliament

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12007965" Can anyone shed any light on this? Will work on building ITER be delayed or postponed because of this wrangling? They are talking about absolutely huge amounts of money which is maybe politically unpalatable for many european...
  5. T

    What's the Best Self-Study Plan for Advanced Math After Basic Courses?

    I have taken 3 calculus courses (First one was Diff. Equations, second one was integrals, and the third one was a mix of both), a statistics course and a linear algebra course. I'd headed into engineering, so my "pure" math education is stopping here. Maths interest me a lot and I'd like to...
  6. jtbell

    Should I max out contributions to my retirement plan?

    Like many academics in the US, I participate in a 403(b) tax-deferred retirement plan with TIAA-CREF. The college where I work contributes an amount equal to a certain % of my salary, and I conribute my own money through payroll deductions (currently about 20% of my gross salary), which reduces...
  7. C

    Engineering Course Plan: What's Best?

    So I am an EE major currently taking Physics I and Calc II. Originally my plan was to take Physics II, Calc III, and Statics together with ODE and Circuit Analysis in the summer. A friend of mine made a point that ODE can come after Calc II rather than III. So now I have an option of...
  8. S

    A plan for the private colonization of the moon

    I have a plan for the private colonization of the moon. My plan includes 5 aerospace companies they are 1.SpaceX 2.Bigelow aerospace 3.Virgin galactic or Reaction Engines Limited 4.Armadillo aerospace 5.Ad Astra Rocket company First SpaceX launches the Sundancer Inflatable habitation module...
  9. R

    Self study plan for understanding nutritional processes

    I've got a good background in physics and math. I'm interested in getting a decent foundation in chemistry/biology with an eye towards understanding nutrition (for starters). (I've been out of school for years.) From browsing course requirements, it seems like I'll need: organic chemistry...
  10. A

    How Can I Prepare for a Theoretical Physics Course with a Math Minor?

    Greetings from Portugal! I hope I got the right forum section :) I would greatly appreciate your help in the following matter: I am a Physics Engineering student, just finishing 1st year and I've recently decided to change to Theoretical Physics with a minor in Mathematics, yet I think I am...
  11. P

    News Is there a BP Plan available for the public?

    I was wondering if any of you have stumbled across the real general blueprint for fixing the oil disaster. All I've been able to find is articles about it, but I'm talking about an outline that they may currently be following. The closest thing to what I mean would be what one would write...
  12. 1

    A very unconventional life plan

    I'm doing well in undergrad, taking it easy w/ a below average courseload. But i'll actually graduate early due to AP credits. I'll get at least an MS (in statistics maybe?), but my plan sounds unconventional after that. I'm a prty quite person and love my peace of mind more than anything...
  13. S

    Plan to colonize the moon and mars.

    I was recently thinking of a way to get to colonize Mars and the moon and provide cheap travel between them, after building space infrastructure. First we put a von braun station in an eccentric orbit around the earth, Then when the station is closest to Earth we take SSTO spaceplane and dock...
  14. J

    Music God's Plan vs Virgin Mary: An Interesting Music Night

    Happened to go to a group of fundamental pentecostal families for a music night, where we spent the evening singing pop songs. We were singing a few devotional songs too, as expected. I randomly sang a virgin Mary devotional song, and everyone started looking at me as if I spoke some profanity...
  15. Gannet

    How animals communicate a plan to a group?

    The other day I was watching on TV "When Dinosaurs roamed America" They were saying that a T.Rex mother and her two offsprings would hunt in a pack like wolves. The offsprings because they could run faster than the adults would herd the larger prey into a trap where the mother would ambush...
  16. C

    Miser's Gold: A Frozen Pond Rescue Plan

    Homework Statement A miser sits alone in the middle of a frozen pond holding a bag of gold coins. He is unable to walk on the slippery ice. Explain how he could use the gold to rescue himself. Homework Equations Ft=change in p The Attempt at a Solution -i'm really not sure,but...
  17. P

    Please Critique: My x Year Plan

    That's x years, because I'm not sure how long it will take me. I'm a young husband and father, and currently cannot handle more than the 6-9 credit range. I want, no.. yearn to have a career in physics. I excelled at it and mathematics while in high school (at least enough to have several...
  18. B

    Summer 2010 Plan B (or C, or D)

    I'm a sophomore interested in pure math who's been looking at an applying for REU's for the last 2 months (in fact, I discovered this forum while looking for REU advice), but I'm not going to be surprised if I'm not accepted into any of the programs. My plan B is to try and get a research...
  19. BobG

    NASA NASA Scientists Plan to Approach Girl

    NASA Scientists Plan to Approach Girl by 2018. Film at 11 (or right below) http://www.theonion.com/content/video/nasa_scientists_plan_to_approach?utm_source=slate_rss_1 Best of all, her eyes are the color of Magnesium Iron Silicate.
  20. R

    How does ITER plan to produce its plasma current?

    I've been looking on the internet and can't find the answer to this question. I'd like to know if it is generating current purely via the traditional inductive method, or if they plan to use any non-inductive method. I suspect the former but I need to know for certain. And could anyone...
  21. E

    Which nations plan to build the most nuclear plants next decade?

    Hi, which nation plans to build the most nuclear plants 2010-2020? China? India? France? Does the US lead in nuclear plant technology and engineering? Will any new nuclear plants be built in the US within next several years?
  22. Char. Limit

    News My Plan to Combat Terrorism in Yemen

    Yemen is a hotbed for terrorists! Luckily, I have a plan. It may not be the best, but looking at Iraq and Afghanistan, it can't be any worse: My plan is to encircle the country along the northern borders, with the support of the Yemeni government. Don't shoot ANYONE unless you have PROOF that...
  23. mugaliens

    NASA BushObama unveils NASA expansion plan

    http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/01/14/bush.space/" : "President Bush Wednesday [January 14, 2004] unveiled an ambitious plan to return Americans to the moon by 2020 and use the mission as a steppingstone for future manned trips to Mars and beyond."...
  24. C

    My plan for the rest of my undergrad - good?

    I'm currently a sophomore with a major in math/cs (single major, not a double major) and I have a plan of what I'm taking for the rest of my time here apart from my degree. I ran it by the general adviser guy and he said it was good, but we really didn't discuss the pros and cons of it, more...
  25. R

    Spinning propeller cause a plan to yaw while it is taxiing?

    Hi Everyone, There is something I am having trouble I am understanding. Why does a spinning propeller cause a plan to yaw while it is taxiing? Also, how does the flow behind a propeller effect the performance of the control surfaces on the tail? Does it have any effect? Because the flow...
  26. C

    At what age did you obtain/ plan to obtain Ph.d.

    To those of you in physics, what age did you obtain ph.d. ? And to those of you who didn't get ph.d. yet, what age do you anticipate in getting it?
  27. E

    How Does a Balloon React When a Man Climbs a Ladder Attached to It?

    Homework Statement In the figure below, a 74 kg man is on a ladder hanging from a balloon that has a total mass of 260 kg (including the basket passenger). The balloon is initially stationary relative to the ground. The man on the ladder begins to climb at 2.5 m/s relative to the ladder...
  28. R

    Math Math Majors, Programmers as Backup Plan?

    I have read that those with bachelor's degrees in math and or physics enter the work force in the capacity of software developers. I am curious as to how they acquire the necessary programming skills. Do employers assume they're "smart enough to learn" and provide a period of time for on the job...
  29. C

    Scientists plan to implement aspects like pattern recognising

    i was reading this article on AI and i have a question: how do scientists plan to implement aspects like pattern recognising(and not just simple pattern recognition, but even linking images from two totally unrelated fields, like we sometimes link mental images, i hope u get it), or...
  30. C

    Plan to enter physics/math field in late 20's

    Hello, I'm in my late 20's and want to enter the field of physics or math. Just trying to get a general plan of how to go about accomplishing that. First, I'm good at math. Not only am I good at it, I love it. Physics too. I'm a qualified member of Mensa (I stopped paying the dues...
  31. C

    Math Plan to enter physics/math field in late 20's

    Hello, I'm in my late 20's and want to enter the field of physics/math. Just trying to get a general plan of how to go about accomplishing that. First, I'm good at math. Not only am I good at it, I love it. Physics too. I'm a qualified member of Mensa (I stopped paying the dues, seemed...
  32. M

    Schools High School Plan for College Prep - Get Opinion

    Hi! I need your opinion on the best course of action for High School. My plan needs to be a bit rigorous, as I hope to attend a prestigious College. So, here's my High School plan. 9th Grade 1st Semester: Algebra 3 Grammar and Composition IV...
  33. B

    News Action Plan for Ending the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict

    I propose the following solution to stop the spiral of killing and violence in the "Holy Land": On a specified date the first newborn son of Israel and the first newborn son of Palestine shall be brought to a public place and laid down together. Each child shall be taken up by an executioner...
  34. D

    Summer Plan: Learn Algebra in 3 Months?

    Hey all. I'm curious about something. I've ordered some books and dvds on Algebra 1, 2, and Advanced Algebra (college) and they should be in relatively soon. How much could I possibly learn in 3 solid months of studying two or three hours a day? Now I honestly don't know how much material will...
  35. T

    What is your Afterlife Back Up Plan?

    What is yours?
  36. Ivan Seeking

    GM and Segway plan electric two-wheeler

    http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/media/ALeqM5iDkrR9K_sSP-BxgI_CEdpYtl4VIA http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gN4pf_E8M_gBzWETe8o8rmbLDdbQ Visionaries, or cockeyed optimists?
  37. J

    Do you think Obama's plan is going to work?

    I don't have a lot of faith in it. His thinking, or at least that of his advisers, is that of a sort of neo-new deal. There's a couple of problems with this. 1. The new deal didn't work. It was military spending during WWI which eventually brought the US out of the depression. 2. Our...
  38. M

    Can You Measure Terminal Velocity in a Classroom Experiment?

    Homework Statement I am putting forward this plan for discussion, in the hopes that it will be helpful for myself and others also doing this for their ocr physics A A2 levels. The task is a planning exercise where you must write a plan for the investigation of Stokes' law. I welcome the...
  39. O

    Schools High school plan for engineering help.

    I'm a junior in high school just enrolling in the Physics course this year (after failing/dropping AP physics the first few weeks... I'll save that for next year), and I love it. My first two years of high school I moved back and forth from Los Angeles to other cities, so my knowledge of...
  40. Ivan Seeking

    News Geitner announces plan for toxic assets

    From what I understand, Geitner announced the new plan fifteen minutes before the markets opened this morning. As of right now - 7:25AM PDT - the DOW is up over 260 points, but I'm not sure if Wall Street already has the details of the plan or not. I don't have a link yet.
  41. S

    Proof, equation of a plan, linear algebra

    Homework Statement Equation of a plan that contains the point p0=x0,y0,z0 and the normalvector N=A,B,C is N*P*P0=0 where P is(x,y,z) =>A(x-xo)+B(y-y0)+c(z-z0)=0 Is it possible to prove this? Can you help me if it is?
  42. rootX

    Animal's ability to plan future events

    Can dogs/cats (or wild animals [elephants]) anticipate future events and plan accordingly? I am sure that they can remember events and know how to respond to a particular event (like see stranger => bark hear a name => if its calling name => respond to it winter is coming => migrate etc) but...
  43. mheslep

    News President's Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan

    The recently announced $275B http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/02/18/9-million-plus/#TB_inline?height=220&width=370&inlineId=tb_external" states that it intends only to reach 'millions of responsible home owners'. Indeed, Press Sec. Gibbs said today that the bailout is for ''those who have...
  44. W

    What are the direct results of the Stimulus Plan?

    I'd like to start a discussion about the practical aspects and direct results of the Stimulus plan. If anyone has direct knowledge of a project that is/will be funded or knows of someone who is actually hired for a job as a direct result of the stimulus plan...please share any details you can...
  45. D

    Improving My Chances: A Biophysics Graduate School Plan

    My GPA isn't all that great, it's a 2.507. I have another semester left to bring it up some, but it won't be much. But I still will like to take what I have left and bring as much into my favor as possible. My plan is to do good in my GRE and PGRE and apply for graduate school at my current...
  46. B

    Schools Study plan to prepare for graduate school

    Soon I will be applying to graduate schools. In general, my interests lie in the domain of cosmology/astrophysics--don't know if theoretical or experimental, but I probably don't have the mathematical background for theoretical yet. However, most physics graduate programs do not start until...
  47. Topher925

    Dental Insurance or Dental Plan? Need Help.

    I need some advice about dental care. The one thing I don't like about being a grad student is I don't have any money. I lost my dental insurance a couple months ago and need to see a dentist. The problem is I have no coverage and of course no money. My school does not off any kind of dental...
  48. H

    Self-Teaching for High School Olympiads: Strategies and Resources

    Does anyone know how I should go about self teaching myself chemistry, physics and math for the goals of the respective high school olympiads for each one? I'm thinking of using Atkins Chemistry, Halliday and Resnick, and Problem Solving Strategies. Any other ideas or advice from people who...
  49. adrenaline

    News Mcain's plan will decimate employer based health coverage

    http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/16/opinion/16herbert.html?hp Does anyone else think this is a bad idea?
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