Before asking questions about how effective a business is at planning for design it is useful to investigate general planning awareness. If a business does not have a clear understanding of where it is, where it is going and how it is going to get there it will be difficult to understand the role that design could play in delivering strategic development. The general planning awareness questions examine the extent of planning and the sources of information that drive the planning process.

Evidence that might be accessed

Level 1
There is no evidence of business planning (Day to day activities take priority)

Level 2
Plans are developed but do not reflect all business areas (i.e. mainly sales objectives) with no analysis of internal and external factors

Level 3
Plans and objectives exist which set direction for the company and integrate the activities of all the company functions, based on limited analysis of internal and external factors

Level 4
Planning is a dynamic process that drives the business, is led by analysis of internal and external drivers and leads to plans and objectives for all the company functions