The following are the characteristics of an institutional planning as identified by Buch (1968):
(1) Need-based:
It is based on the felt needs of the staff of the institution and could incorporate needs in the area of institutional organization, curricular and co-curricular programmes, support services, etc.
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(2) Strengthening Human Efforts:
An institutional plan makes purposeful and deliberate efforts to enhance and augment human efforts by utilization of faulty’s imagination, creativity, initiative and inspiration. It does not rely only on financial and physical infrastructural support.
(3) Specificity:
Every school/college has its own image and individual personality which is emphasized when planning for development and improvement as well as allocating resources and boosting potentials. Thus, every institution needs to have its own unique, specific plan.
(4) Goal-orientedness:
An institutional plan is directed towards pursuing the national goal of attaining excellence with equity. This requires; continuous improving and developing an institution by fixing higher goals each time.
(5) Optimum Utilization:
Its major criterion is to utilize human, financial and other non-material resources in a way which facilitates maximum benefits with minimum negative consequences i.e., in an optimum manner.
(6) Flexibility:
The national and state level plans are rigid in nature due to the top-down approach adopted and bureaucratic implementation. On the other hand, an institutional plan is flexible and open to modifications as demanded by situations.
(7) Dual Focus:
Each institutional plan has two distinct focal points: (a) improvement which is based on human efforts and (b) development necessitating support and assistance of the management, community and the government.
(8) Improved Motivation:
Through its successful implementation with visible output, it enhances motivation among students, teachers, management and the community, creates enthusiasm and a sense of commitment and affiliation in these groups.
(9) Co-operative Endeavour:
It is prepared by close participation and involvement of teachers, parents, students, principal and the management in the planning process.
(10) Democratic Preparation:
Its planning and implementation involve the entire stakeholder; who share their opinions, ideas and ideologies thus enhancing their sense of dignity and worthiness.
(11) Duration of Plans:
An institutional plan can be of a long-term duration, say, 10-15 years or it could be of five years duration coinciding with the national/state five-year plans. Within the broad frame-work of long-term plan, an institution can prepare a number of projects or programmes for a shorter duration of one or two years.
(12) Relation with State and National Plans:
An institutional plan should be prepared within the State level and National level educational plans and need to reflect the National Policy on Education. However, the institutional plan can be prepared in the spirit of educational plans but still the institution can have the freedom to modify, change, add or reject them.
(13) Community Support:
Community involvement in institutional planning is a pre-condition and an absolute necessity as it ensures community support in implementation of the plan and helps in building a rapport between the institution and the community.