Paralysis by analysis: Is your planning system becoming too rational? Article

Lenz, RT, Lyles, MA. (1985). Paralysis by analysis: Is your planning system becoming too rational? . LONG RANGE PLANNING, 18(4), 64-72. 10.1016/0024-6301(85)90086-X

cited authors

  • Lenz, RT; Lyles, MA

authors

abstract

  • Four processes occuring in and around organizations are causing strategic planning systems in many firms to become too rational. Excessive rationality is present when the entrepreneurial spirit essential for planning is replaced by rigidity, excessive quantification and formality. If a planning process becomes too rational, its capacity to ensure innovative adaptation is lost. With this loss comes a diminished capacity of an organization for achieving long-term competitive success. Both an alert executive group and certain administrative actions are necessary to prevent the onset of an overly rational planning process. © 1985.

publication date

  • January 1, 1985

published in

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

start page

  • 64

end page

  • 72

volume

  • 18

issue

  • 4