Implementing Integrated Planning

Transferring the IO principles to the planning domain has led to the development of the concept of Integrated Planning (IPL). The concept represents a holistic perspective on planning, emphasizing the interplay between planning horizons, between organizational units, and among cross-organizational partners. Based on findings from three case studies, the purpose of this chapter is to present how three companies in the oil & gas industry has approached integrated planning, illustrating some of the challenges they have experienced in the planning domain. With the findings as a starting point, the authors identified three enabling factors that need a particular focus when implementing IPL: ICT tools, roles & processes, and arenas for plan coordination. In addition, the authors argue that in order to succeed in implementing integrated planning practices, as well as continuously improving these, human and organizational capabilities need to be cultivated, and focus here on four salient features of an integrated planning practice: competence, commitment, collaboration, and continuous learning.