Planning processes involve a series of steps that organizations use to set goals and determine the best way to achieve them. This typically includes identifying objectives, gathering relevant information, evaluating options, and selecting a course of action. Effective planning helps ensure that resources are used efficiently and that everyone is aligned towards common goals. In many cases, planning processes can be categorized into strategic, tactical, and operational planning. Strategic planning focuses on long-term goals and overall direction, while tactical planning deals with short-term actions to support those goals. Operational planning involves the day-to-day activities necessary to implement the tactical plans.