Planning, or reasoning about actions, is a fundamental element of intelligent behavior--and one that artificial intelligence has found very difficult to implement. The most well-understood approach to building planning systems has been under refinement since the late 1960s and has now reached a level of maturity where there are good prospects for building working planners. Practical Planning is an in-depth examination of this classical planning paradigm through an intensive case study of SIPE, a significantly implemented planning system. The author, the developer of SIPE, defines the planning problem in general, explains why reasoning about actions is so complex, and describes all parts of the SIPE system and the algorithms needed to achieve efficiency. Details are discussed in the context of problems and important issues in building a practical planner; discussions of how other systems address these issues are also included. Assuming only a basic background in AI, Practical Planning will be of great interest to professionals interested in incorporating planning capabilities into AI systems.

This book guides evaluators in planning a comprehensive, yet practical, program evaluation—from start to design—within any context, in an accessible manner.

The Practical Pocket Guide to Account Planning provides a straightforward, no nonsense approach to understanding what Account Planners do on a daily basis and how they do it. Filled with real world examples, amusing anecdotes, and useful techniques for getting to better insights, The Practical Pocket Guide provides a clear path for how Account Planners can collaborate with Creatives to produce great work that is insightful, engaging, and culturally infectious. In this engaging 2-hour read, you'll learn: the difference between most Account Planning job descriptions and day-to-day realities, critical planning skills, including: concept testing, copy testing, discussion guides, positioning, and the basics of good research, techniques for writing better briefs and ideas for how to lead more engaging briefings, and how to be an ally to Creatives so that together you can sell big, culturally infectious ideas to Clients. Whether you're a Client, a Creative, an Account Manager, or an aspiring Account Planner, this book will help you understand how Planners think and what great Planning can really do.

Your total guide to putting a powerful management tool to work in your organization Why strategic planning? Because a well wrought strategic plan helps you set priorities and acquire and allocate the resources needed to achieve your goals. It provides a framework for analyzing and quickly adapting to future challenges. And it helps all board and staff members focus more clearly on your organization's priorities, while building commitment and promoting cooperation and innovation But to be effective, your plan will need to address the special needs of the nonprofit sector. And for more than a decade, Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations has been the number-one source of guidance on all facets of strategic planning for managers at nonprofits of every size and budget. This thoroughly revised, updated, and expanded edition arms you with the expert knowledge and tools you need to develop and implement surefire strategic plans, including tested-in-the-trenches worksheets, checklists, and tables--in print and on the companion website--along with a book-length case study that lets you observe strategic planning in action. Packed with real-world insights and practical pointers, it shows you how to: Develop a clear mission, vision, and set of values Conduct SWOT analyses and program evaluations Assess client needs and determine stakeholder concerns Set priorities and develop core strategies, goals, and objectives Balance the dual bottom lines of mission and money Write and implement a solid strategic plan Develop a user-friendly annual work plan Establish planning cycles, gauge progress, and update strategies

This book is exceptional treatise on strategic planning for single-business companies that is at once academically rigorous and uncommonly practical.

Practical Periodontal Diagnosis and Treatment Planningoffers its readers a step-by-step guide to diagnosing and planningtreatment for periodontal patients through the latestevidence-based protocols. It summarizes the available scientificevidence for efficacy and effectiveness and links it to everydayclinical practice in a concise, user-friendly manner. Practical Periodontal Diagnosis and Treatment Planningbegins with the basics of periodontal diagnosis, following thelatest classification by the AAP. Modifiable andnon-modifiable risk factors are assessed in detail, emphasizing thetreatment planning intricacies associated with each one. The bookdiscusses all presentations of periodontal disease ranging fromgingivitis to aggressive periodontitis, highlighting topics such asocclusion, scaling and root planning. The full range of treatmentmodalities are also presented, providing practical instruction forosseous resective surgery, regenerative and supportive periodontaltherapy, and dental implant complication management. Designed to improve and expand the reader’s repertoire ofclinical skills, Practical Periodontal Diagnosis and TreatmentPlanning provides comprehensive coverage of this core part ofperiodontal training in a concise, highly illustrated, step-by-stepformat.

Practical Guide to Project Planning is filled with project documents and templates ready to use for planning and managing project. It explains project analysis and modeling techniques so these documents and templates can be used for effective project management. In addition, the book is also a guide to best practices that comply with the PMI

Starting and managing new projects in organizations requires creativity and teamwork. Project planning and implementation are often blocked by confusion and conflict over goals, methodologies, and communication bottlenecks. 5-Phase Project Management offers the best project management practices in a simple, easy-to-use format for all project managers. In this practical, step-by-step book, Joe Weiss and Bob Wysocki walk you through each phase of a complex project: definition, planning, implementation, management, and maintenance.

Planning Programs for Adult Learners, Third Edition covers the development of adult education programs in clear, specific detail. This popular step-by-step guide contains information on every area of program planning for adult learners, from understanding the purpose of educational programs to obtaining suitable facilities to incorporating technology appropriately. For educators and practitioners for whom planning programs is a full-time responsibility or only a part of their jobs, as well as volunteers in a variety of organizations, will find this book to be an essential tool. Grounded in a variety of program planning models, the new edition includes: new refinements to the 11-component interactive model updated exercises and examples from new settings new material on the practical application of technology discussion of instructional and program evaluation a focus on critical managerial tasks a new chapter on exploring the foundational knowledge of program planning a new section on the ethical issues related to program planning

"Sometimes a book appears on your desk that successfully defines a field. You look at the book and say "thank you." Planning and Conducting Needs Assessments is such a book. . . . This book is clearly grounded in program planning and is not an afterthought or add-on to some other field. . . . I am excited to see this book appear in print. It clearly fills a niche that has been empty for some time: a practical approach to learning about and conducting needs assessments. . . . This is a marvelous book that should make a significant contribution to the field." --From the Foreword by Nick Eastmond, Utah State University "While it has the depth and breadth to be used in a classroom, Planning and Conducting Needs Assessments is written simply and directly enough to be a hands-on guide for needs assessment users and practitioners. The framework proposed by the authors is excellent in that it is readily understood and focuses attention on the most important details/issues in needs assessment practice. The fact that they also present an explanation of so many tools, including examples, makes the book required reading for anyone intending to plan or contract for a needs assessment." --John Theiss, Director of Planning and Evaluation, Texas