Planning System Success: A Conceptualization and an Operational Model

Research on strategic planning has been handicapped by lack of an appropriate operationalizing scheme for measuring the success of planning systems. In this paper, an operational model for measuring planning system success is developed in terms of two interrelated dimensions—improvements in the capabilities of the planning system and extent of fulfillment of key planning objectives. Multiple items reflecting these dimensions are proposed. Construct validity of the two dimensions are evaluated by applying Jöreskog's analysis of covariance structures approach on data on the planning practices of 202 strategic planning units. Validated measurement schemes for the two model dimensions are offered for use in future research efforts on strategic planning effectiveness.