Interagency planning

a proposed process for managing complex social problems

Abstract

This article presents a proposal for an Interagency Planning Process (PPI), considering the main factors determining interagency collaborative work. While there is a vast literature on potential barriers or facilitators to collaboration, there remains a research gap on “how” collaborators operationalize unity of effort in interagency operations. Therefore, with the objective of developing a procedural model, this study was divided into three stages, according to Action Research methodology. First, a literary review was carried out to identify the main factors connected to interagency relations. Next, the knowledge obtained by the review was applied in a Planning Course, based on the Joint Planning Process (JPP) – from the Ministry of Defense – as well as Systemic Perspective Mapping and Dynamic Adaptive Process tools. Finally, the necessary adaptations, derived from the course results, were incorporated into the proposed Interagency Planning Process model. Since there is currently no consolidated planning framework for interagency work, this model will serve as a tool to guide successful collaboration.