People with disability and their families are often called on to write plans - education plans, plans for health professionals, service providers and government departments. 

These written plans are often repetitive and meaningless and often have no resemblance to what is really happening in a person's life. However, a well prepared planning process can be effective. 

Guidelines for effective planning:

• Be clear about the difference between big picture, whole of life, strategic planning and planning for particular supports and resources
• Engage other people to help with your planning; two heads are better than one
• Remain in control of the process yourself or with the support of people you trust
• Share your ideas with the people who are planning with you. Let them know what you would like your life to be like. Use these ideas to  direct your planning.
• Keep the focus on the person who is the centre of the plan. The starting point is the person, not a particular support issue or other  disability related 'problem'.  
• Plan for all aspects of a life, not just for those areas defined by disability
• Think creatively. Directing your own support or that of your family member offers an opportunity to find new ways to meet a whole range of  needs
• Revisit plans regularly to take into account what has been achieved and the changing circumstances of an individual and the world around  them. 

Click on the following resources for ideas to help with effective planning:

• Planning - a focus and starting point lists seven points to help prepare for an effective planning process
• The strengths and limitations of funding in creating a good life includes ideas to help plan creatively
• Cautions concerning person centred planning warns about relying on formulas for planning rather than keeping the individual in mind.
• Use this Case Study as an example of how one family used the 'big picture' planning they had done with their son to direct their planning and budgeting for his support.
• On planning and self-direction stresses that planning should "build capacity for liberation rather than constraint".
• Stories: The following stories are about Australian individuals and families and their experiences of planning: It's all about Matthew; At last, Lisa; In pursuit of ordinariness

Read more about What goes in a plan?