2.3.4  A Good Plan Offers a Well-Thought-Out and Integrated Program of Action

An effective plan provides a community with an integrated program of recommended policies and actions that enables it to move steadily and deliberately toward the future it desires.

Communities that don't have plans, on the other hand, react to problems in an ad hoc fashion. The problem with such a "knee-jerk" reaction to problems is that in each instance it encourages a community to look for a "magic bullet" solution. The net result is a series of discrete and unrelated actions-- the very opposite of a coherent and sustained approach to problem-solving. Responding to crises and problems as they arise gives the appearance of "doing something," but rarely produces satisfactory results in the long run. Given the complexity and inter-relatedness of issues facing communities today, a comprehensive and deliberately formulated strategy offers a much greater likelihood of success.