In this blog you will discover:
- Which planning methods exist
- What planning techniques actually are
- The most commonly used structures (3, 4 and even 7 types of planning)
- And how to choose the right one for your situation
Let’s get started!
What are planning methods?
Planning methods are ways to structure work, time and resources. They help you maintain an overview, set priorities and meet deadlines.
Think about:
- How do you divide the work?
- In what order do you carry out tasks?
- Who does what and when?
👉 In short: a planning method determines how you keep control over chaos.
What are planning techniques? (and what is the difference?)
A planning technique is a concrete way to carry out and improve your planning. These are the practical tools and methods that help you bring structure to your work.
👉 While a planning method determines how you plan, a planning technique ensures that it actually works in practice.
Examples of planning techniques:
- Setting priorities (e.g. Eisenhower matrix)
- Time blocking
- Critical Path Method (CPM)
- Resource planning
- Forecasting
👉 Think of it this way: the method is the strategy. The technique is how you carry it out.
Which planning methods are there? (the most important at a glance)
There are dozens of methods, but these are the most commonly used in practice:
1. Gantt Chart (classic but powerful)
Ideal for projects with clear steps and deadlines.
- Visual timeline
- Tasks dependent on each other
- Widely used in project management
👉 Perfect for production, construction and project planning.
2. Agile planning (flexible and step-by-step)
Work in short cycles (sprints) and continuously adjust.
- A lot of flexibility
- Focus on collaboration
- Continuous feedback
👉 Ideal for software development and dynamic environments.
3. Scrum (Agile, but structured)
A specific Agile method with fixed roles and rhythms.
- Sprints of 1–4 weeks
- Daily stand-ups
- Product backlog
👉Works well for teams that need to switch quickly.
4. Kanban (visual and clear)
Works with columns such as “To do – Doing – Done”.
- Immediate insight into progress
- Limit work in progress (WIP)
- Less stress, more flow
👉 Perfect for operational teams and planners.
5. Lean planning (efficiency above all)
Minimise waste and optimise processes.
- Focus on value
- Continuous improvement
- Less waste of time and resources
👉 Widely used in production and logistics.
6. Critical Path Method (CPM)
Determine which tasks are critical for your deadline.
- Identifies bottlenecks
- Helps with complex projects
- Focus on dependencies
👉 Ideal for large, complex planning.
7. Resource-based planning
Not the task, but the capacity is central.
- Who is available?
- Which machine is free?
- Where are the bottlenecks?
👉 Highly relevant for production companies and planners.
What are the 4 planning methods? (briefly summarised)
If you want to keep it simple, you can see these four as the foundation:
- Traditional (Gantt/waterfall) – structured and predictable
- Agile – flexible and step-by-step
- Lean - efficient and without waste
- Resource-based - capacity-focused
👉 These are the four “main streams” in planning.
What are the 3 types of planning?
In addition to methods, there are also different types of planning.
1. Strategic planning
- Long term (months/years)
- Business objectives
- High-level overview
2. Tactical planning
- Medium term
- Translation of strategy into actions
- Departments and teams
3. Operational planning
- Short term (day/week)
- Concrete tasks
- Who does what and when?
👉 In tools such as vPlan you mainly work at an operational level, but always linked to tactical and strategic objectives.
What are the 7 types of planning?
Would you like to look at it in a bit more detail? Then you will often come across these 7:
- Strategic planning
- Tactical planning
- Operational planning
- Capacity planning
- Resource planning
- Production planning
- Workforce planning
How do you choose the right planning method?
This is where things often go wrong. Not every method suits every organisation.
Ask yourself these questions:
1. How predictable is your work?
- Predictable → Gantt / traditional
- Unpredictable → Agile / Kanban
2. Do you work with many dependencies?
- Yes → CPM or Gantt
- No → Kanban or Agile
3. Is capacity your biggest challenge?
- Yes → resource-based planning
4. How large is your team?
- Small → keep it simple (Kanban)
- Large → more structure (Scrum/Gantt)
Why planning methods make the difference
Without a good method:
- you lose overview
- bottlenecks arise
- deadlines slip
With the right method:
- you work more efficiently
- you make better use of capacity
- you gain calm in your planning
👉 And that is exactly where the strength of tools such as vPlan lies:
You combine methods + technique + real-time insight in one overview.
Practical tips to get started straight away
Want to improve today? Start here:
✅ Start with one method (not three at once)
Keep it simple. Test and optimise.
✅ Make your planning visual
Overview = calm.
✅ Work with priorities
Not everything is equally important.
✅ Plan based on capacity, not just tasks
Prevent overload.
✅ Evaluate every week
What worked? What didn’t?
Ready to take a smarter approach to your planning?
With vPlan you bring everything together:
- visual planning
- real-time insight
- control over capacity and resources
Try vPlan for free and discover which planning method works for you.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most commonly used planning methods?
The most commonly used planning methods are Gantt charts, Agile planning, Scrum, Kanban and resource-based planning. Which method works best depends on how predictable your work is and how much flexibility you need.
Which planning method suits my organisation best?
That depends on your type of work. Do you work with fixed deadlines and clear steps? Then a Gantt chart is a good fit. Do you have a dynamic environment? Then choose Agile or Kanban.
What is the difference between Agile and traditional planning?
Traditional planning (such as Gantt) works with fixed steps and deadlines. Agile planning is flexible and works in short iterations, allowing you to adjust more quickly when something changes.
When do you use a Gantt chart?
You use a Gantt chart for projects with clear phases, dependencies and deadlines. Think of construction projects or product launches where timing is crucial.
What is resource-based planning and why is it important?
Resource-based planning focuses on capacity: who or what is available? It helps you prevent overload and use your resources more efficiently, which is essential in production and logistics.
What are the advantages of visual planning (such as Kanban)?
Visual planning provides immediate overview. You can see at a glance what needs to be done, what is in progress and what is completed. This leads to more calm, better collaboration and fewer mistakes.
What are the biggest mistakes when choosing a planning method?
Common mistakes include choosing overly complex methods, not taking capacity into account, and using multiple methods at the same time. Starting simple and improving iteratively works better.
How do you improve your planning without immediately choosing a new method?
Start with small optimisations: make your planning visual, set clear priorities and evaluate weekly. Often the improvement is not in a new method, but in making better use of your current approach.
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