The Operational Plan is essentially about the next 12 months where there is reasonably firm data about money and manpower. Where do we want to be this time next year?

The Operational Plan both reflects the individual projects and local programmes, supports them and suggests further programmes and projects.

The Operational plan allocates resources against the major priorities. Thus staff can be recruited and trained, equipment purchased, buildings erected.

The Operational plan has to be prudent and accept that existing services have to be maintained, that contingency reserves may be necessary and that there is always more to do than resources to do them with.