Path Planning (Part 2)

How Do We Plan A Path?

Author: Manuel R. CortezRodas

Once we have met the needs of path planning, we can begin to plan a path by addressing the following areas: Where Do We Start? When Do We Finish? How Do We Get There?  Meeting the needs of path planning allows us to address the design and creation of the path. 

Where do we start?  We should start with organization, inventory, and structure.  Path planning requires organization.  We must get organized to start planning a path.  Organization requires us to take an inventory of what we have available from those things that are concrete, as well as those which are abstract.  

When we have become organized, and taken inventory, we must develop a structure that will support our organization, and secure our inventory.

A structure gives shape and helps hold form.  Without it, all the organization and inventory would just remain a mound of possibilities and what if's.

When do we finish?  We finish when we have achieved a successfully planned path which leads toward goals, accomplishments, and rewards.  The goals we set out to fulfill should be specific, developed, researched, and flexible enough to accommodate all possible needs.

Accomplishments will arise and come to light all throughout the path.  Each accomplishment should be acknowledge at the proper time, and should be celebrated by all those who have participated in the realization of the accomplishment.

It is also a good idea to create rewards which can be reached by completing tasks and stages of different magnitude.

How do we get there?  We get there by developing and creating direct, alternate, and staggered paths which allow for all to reach the same goal, at a pace that is appropriate, while allowing us to set challenges which can be overcome with determination, perseverance, and creativity.

A direct path will have the benefit of maintaining the end in sight.  For those who do best when they forge on ahead, without the need to look back, this can be the path that leads them to success.  

An alternate path has the benefit of reaching the end by taking turns and side-paths which present a unique and flexible path which helps us reach the same end that he direct path maintains in sight.  For those who do best when allowed to wonder and explore beyond the linear straight forward approach, the alternate path would be the most efficient path toward success.

A staggered path can be the most efficient path toward success for those who require many multiple stages with specifically defined transition stages where progress and improvement takes place.  A staggered path reaches the ending that the direct path maintains in sight, and the alternate path reaches through turns and side-paths that are explored as we wonder.

There may be many paths, but they all should end equally and fairly.

Copyright 2013.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Path Planning

What do we need to plan a path?

Author: Manuel R. CortezRodas

To plan a path we must meet the following needs: As starting and ending point, participants, and supplies and support.

The path we plan must be defined by a starting point and an ending point.  If we do not have a starting point, many of us will be at a disadvantage.  For we may start at undefined points which could make our path last longer than needed, be more challenging than necessary, and requiring more energy to be invested.

If we do not have an ending point, though we may have a common starting point, we will not have an ending point toward which we can plan our path, and we will wonder aimlessly through a path that has no end consuming energy without a purpose.  

If there is neither a starting point, nor an ending point, then each one of us will walk a path that has no aim, or goal, or purpose.  A path that will start unevenly, require a great amount of energy and investment, and end in a chaotic disarray of cross-cutting, interconnecting, and overlapping paths which lead to nowhere but turns and dead ends.

Therefore, it is a must that we have a starting point and an ending point if we are to plan a path for those who are going to participate in our path planning.

Only those who participate can plan a path.  We cannot not participate, and expect to have a say about our needs and concerns as the path is planned.  It is only by participating that we can plan a path that can be traveled by others, addresses the needs and concerns of others, and creates secure footing for those whom we expect to successfully travel the path from start to finish.

Participants are needed to plan a path.  Participants who are able and willing to share their knowledge and skills from start to finish.  Participants who are understanding, dependable, and capable of planning a path from beginning to ending.  Participants who believe in the purpose of the path that is to be planned, and understand the self - sacrifice that is  takes when planning a path.

Once we have a starting point, and ending point, and participants, we need supplies and support.  These can help us in planning a path that is secure and long lasting.  The supplies and support that we need will vary depending on the path that we are going to plan.  They become needed tools that allow for the creation, development, and maintenance of the path for as long as we make the path a priority.

Copyright 2013.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.