FIRST RUNNING OF THE ADVANCED MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (PPBS)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R001700020005-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 19, 2003
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: September 18, 1967
• Content Type: MFR

Approved For Release 2003/08/2 , - aLtF J676R0011770002
18 September 1967
SUBJECT: First running of the Advanced Management Program (PPBS)
1. This first running took place from 10 through 15 September at
Representatives from all Directorates and Offices of Training
and PPB attended. At the beginning the course manager emphasized that
this was not a course to provide answers to the Planning problem facing
the Agency, and was not a course in the PPB System. It was expected
that PPB System would be a portion of the course with giving25X1
a description of the PPB System as it is used by the Agency and then
answering questions put'by the class. This did not happen. In future
runnings of the course this kind of presentation would be an important
feature of the course.
2. The training technique used in the course is case problems with
team and group competition, and with time used to introduce stress and
reality. The philosophy is that planning is a function of communications
and planning techniques. The communications side is very similar to the
theories taught in the management grid course. Also several portions of
the teams and group sessions are patterned after those in the management
grid course. In essence the planning philosophy taught is that whatever
planning technique used it must fit the situation, i. e. , purposeful, crisis,
traditional, or entrepreneurial. Techniques of planning such as qualification
of data, planning in uncertainty (using utilities, regret calculations, etc. )
were described in some detail and there were planning problems using
these techniques. Lectures during the sessions covered the techniques and
philosophies being used by private industry to cope with. the planning problem.
3. The critique at the end of the course and during it stressed that,
the "communications" aspect could be dropped because it drew attention
away from planning. Also questioned by all but one student was the value
of the exercises in quantification of data and the theories for planning in
uncertainty. There were many traditionalists in the groups who did not
know one end of a statistic from another and could not cope with the simplest
data manipulation techniques. TV lectures were used in some portions and
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these left much to be desired. The case problems used were "real
enough" although some of the exercises in planning theory and communi-
cations theory were felt to be too academic. There was still work to be
done with the case problem exercises in order to emphasize the planning
function and decrease emphasis on the communications theory.
4. There was one article on the PPB System in the course, and one
test on this. What is vitally needed in the course is4further information
on the System and more time allocated in the coursS/it as the pattern of
planning into which Agency planning must gear itself. Admittedly the
persons attending were highly skeptical of the PPB System and for that
matter any planning system. It is surprising to find so many officers
who are involved in some features of the planning process so close-minded
about any planning technique or theory that would change their traditional
attitudes toward planning (or lack of planning).
5. A comment on atmosphere is in order. It was clear from the
comments by those who took the course that the PPB System must be sold
to them. Not only do they not understand the system and reject it out of
ignorance, they are defensive and afraid of those who are trying to bring
the system into the Agency (O/PPB). This is not at all unusual in the
Agency but it does indicate a need for better "public relations work. "
6. There will be another trial running of the course in the next
couple of weeks. The first formal running will be sometime in October.
We were promised a copy of the course outline when it is finally worked
out. I feel confident that it will be a good course and will do much, over
the long term, to bring some coherence to Agency planning.
7. In summary then, the strong features of the course were the
case problems which were real situations that the Agency faced or is
facing (ADP problem). They gave the group real opportunities in planning
exercises. Another strong feature of the course is that it gave you the
means (to use or not to use) to look at planning systematically (the planning
model). The interpersonal communications part took on too much emphasis
and led to a replay of management grid games between players and teams.
The greatest weakness in the course now is the little time and attention
given to PPBS. Even if it were allocated the morning session, as planned,
it would be too little. They also need more material on the PPBS such as
the 68-2 and other materials. It is worth noting both as a weakness and a
strength the intensiveness of the course. It runs through three sessions
daily, the last ending about 11 p. m. Also the case problem technique and
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team competition can be considered a strength and a weakness depending
on an individual's reaction to these techniques. The worst weakness,
in my eyes, was the final self-criticism and group criticism session at
which time you were supposed to get back feedback which would help
improve your planning skills. Since communication styles were easier
to deal with much of this session dealt with your style of communication,
or lack of, and personality traits. This kind of session is an interesting
experience but its usefulness as a teaching technique in the planning
course is questionable. Another strong feature of the course was the
exposure to the planning techniques now being used in industry. This
gives the student something to measure the Agency and himself against.
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RCP:lw
Distribution:
Orig. - AD/PPB//PPD file
1 - JMC Hold
1 - A-C/BD
1 - PPD Chrono
Approved For Release 2003/0&
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Remarks:
You may be interested in reading
comments on the first
running of the PPB course. It was
held last week on a trial basis at ISO.
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