Inform planning and decision-making

This standard is about informing planning and decision-making within the scope of your role. You analyse relevant information, consider organisational priorities and apply leadership and management theories to shape planning discussions. You communicate clearly, collaborate with colleagues and support shared understanding. You monitor changes in the working environment, respond constructively to concerns and adapt your approach when conditions change. 

This standard applies to managers and leaders at all levels across all sectors.

1. Analyse information, factors and constraints that influence planning within your area of responsibility to inform sound and evidence-based decisions.
2. Develop plans that align with organisational priorities, resources and intended outcomes to support effective delivery.
3. Communicate expectations, planning information and intended outcomes clearly to support inclusion, shared understanding and informed decision-making.
4. Interact and adapt your communication and behaviour in ways that support colleagues’ participation and contribute to a positive planning culture.
5. Gather, consider and reflect on colleagues’ ideas, perspectives and concerns to strengthen planning decisions and support shared ownership.
6. Respond constructively to concerns raised during planning in line with organisational procedures to maintain trust and progress.
7. Coordinate planning activities with colleagues to support shared goals, consistent decision-making and effective use of resources.
8. Support colleagues to identify planning requirements, dependencies and actions aligned with agreed priorities and objectives.
9. Monitor planning processes to identify changes, risks or issues that may affect progress or outcomes and take proportionate action.
10. Monitor behaviours that may affect planning processes and respond in line with organisational procedures to maintain a positive planning environment.
11. Apply relevant leadership and management theories to inform planning decisions and strengthen the quality of planning discussions.
12. Reflect critically on your approach to planning to identify improvements that strengthen processes, collaboration and outcomes.

1. The purpose of planning and how it supports organisational priorities and outcomes.
2. The information, factors and constraints that influence planning within your area of responsibility.
3. How to develop plans that align with organisational priorities, resources and intended outcomes.
4. How to communicate in ways that support clarity, inclusion and shared understanding during planning.
5. How to adapt your communication and behaviour to support colleagues’ participation in planning processes.
6. How to gather, consider and reflect on colleagues’ ideas, perspectives and concerns to strengthen planning decisions.
7. How to respond constructively to concerns raised during planning in line with organisational procedures.
8. How to coordinate planning activities with colleagues to support shared goals and consistent decision-making.
9. How to support colleagues to develop clear, achievable action plans aligned with agreed priorities and objectives.
10. How to recognise behaviours that may affect planning processes and how to respond in line with organisational procedures.
11. How leadership and management theories can inform planning and decision-making.
12. How planning processes influence performance, engagement and organisational outcomes.
13. How to critically reflect on your approach to planning to identify opportunities for improvement.

The following values underpin this standard. They are integrated throughout the performance criteria and knowledge and understanding requirements and inform how individuals approach their work, make decisions and interact with others.

• Integrity - acting consistently with organisational values when contributing to priorities and plans.
• Openness - sharing information and ideas to support shared understanding.
• Inclusion - valuing diverse perspectives when shaping priorities and plans.
• Responsibility - taking ownership of your contribution to planning processes.
• Respect - considering the needs and experiences of colleagues.
• Equity - reducing barriers that affect participation in planning discussions.

The following behaviours underpin this standard. They are integrated throughout the performance criteria and knowledge and understanding requirements and inform how individuals approach their work, make decisions and interact with others.

• Act with integrity, aligning your contribution to planning with organisational values and priorities.
• Be inclusive, valuing diverse perspectives in planning discussions.
• Act with respect, treating colleagues with dignity and supporting psychological safety.
• Communicate openly, supporting clarity, transparency and shared understanding.
• Encourage participation, enabling colleagues to contribute meaningfully to planning processes.
• Take accountability for owning your role in shaping priorities, plans and decisions.
• Consider wellbeing, recognising how planning processes affect colleagues’ workload, participation and engagement.