Phases of the Planning Process

Phases of the Planning Process

First Phase: Research Base

The research base has a goal: knowledge of the reality that is sought to intervene. This is a stage before planning. It is a phase of study and concrete knowledge of the reality that will be subject to planning. It comprises two activities:

1. Study of Needs
2. Resources Assessment

A. Diagnostic Analysis. The Study of Needs

Knowledge of social needs is the starting point of all social planning. Determining the needs in a given sector is a complex objective. The creation and satisfaction of needs is a historical concept; needs are conditioned by time, space, and ideologies. Needs are not natural but are conditioned by economic, social, political, and cultural factors. Needs are not static or stable, but change. Satisfying one need can be the basis for the emergence of another.

There are many classifications of needs, differentiated as individual or existential and social. Following Bradshaw's typology, there are four types:

1. Legislative Need: This is a need that the experienced professional, administrator, or social scientist defines as necessary in a given situation.
2. Felt Need: These are the needs that individuals express themselves.
3. Expressed Need: Same as above, but put into practice.
4. Comparative Need: This is a definition that attempts to standardize or make services uniform.

Under this concept, a measure of need is given based on studying the characteristics of the population that receives a service. The concept of need is tightened by subjective definitions of various social actors. It is a hypothetical construct that allows the identification of data from reality when establishing social intervention programs, based on identified shortcomings in the functional organization of the community in relation to a particular need.

Once the geographical unit or sector that is under study has been determined, information should be sought on the area of need or lack in the entire population. In this first phase, we address the analysis of the available data sources and studies on the area or problem. Research or diagnostic evaluation can be conducted to obtain data through surveys, etc. A comprehensive study of the area should be conducted, but with a dynamic perspective. Based on this information, we can design the objectives that will guide our actions.

Resource Stocks

A basic element of planning is to know exactly the available resources, including personnel, financial, and material resources. It requires knowing the degree of specialization of human resources and the financial and material resources available. It is essential to know their distribution for each item. This study should be performed for each municipality, considering each local context.

When this data is available, maps of Social Services can be produced. Maps on social services are crucial instruments for planning. Maps should contain a complete summary of the basic data on needs and social demands, as well as existing resources. This is an inventory of resources that are represented on a map, providing a graphical view of the situation. Its function is to inform the public and professionals about available resources and the conditions for accessing them.