Planning


Purpose

Germany

For Germans planning is absolutely critical to success. A good plan provides structure. It maintains cohesion and stability. Thoughtful planning reduces risk. Examples

United States

For Americans a plan is an approach, a way to proceed. A good plan guides people who are collaborating. A plan keeps them on a path towards a target. Examples


Short Mid Long

Germany

Germans plan for the mid- to long-term. Short-term action cannot be planned for properly. It’s almost a contradiction in itself. Short-term planning is often not worth the time, effort and investment. Examples

United States

Americans plan for the short- to mid-term. Long-term action cannot be planned for properly. It’s not worth the time, effort and investment. Examples


Detail

Germany

Germans believe in detail. Their plans have a high degree of detail. Germans tend to plan from A to Z. And they prefer to plan well in advance before beginning execution. Examples

United States

Americans believe in less detail. The degree of detail of their plans is based on the given situation. Americans plan A to C in great detail, begin executing, then continue planning as they proceed. Examples


Flexibility

Germany

Germans believe that a plan can only serve its purpose if you stick to it. “Why make a plan if you don’t intend to execute on it?” They are not easily thrown off balance by changing parameters. Examples

United States

Americans believe that a plan should be flexible. If the plan, or aspects of it, are not working make the necessary changes. “Why execute on a plan that is not working?” Examples


Contingency

Germany

Because Germans believe in discipline – sticking to the plan – they do much less contingency planning. Examples

United States

Because Americans believe in flexibility, going off plan, they do a significant amount of contingency planning. Examples