Comprehensive Planning

This guide from Minnesota Planning is intended as an easy-to-use reference to the comprehensive planning process for local governments and communities. Chapter 1 discusses why planning is important, what a comprehensive plan is, who can develop a plan, and how a community might approach the task. Chapter 2 outlines the steps for starting the planning process, including decisions about the commitment, establishing the structure, marshalling resources, and developing a plan for public participation. Chapter 3 details what should be inventoried to prepare a factual community profile, including current status, future needs, and assets and challenges. Chapter 4 describes how to use the information generated in a community profile to craft a vision and the goals and policies to achieve it. Chapter 5 shows by example, step by step and issue by issue, how to develop comprehensive plan strategies drawing on the information in a community profile and a community’s vision, goals and policies. Chapter 6 summarizes how to implement and update a plan, as well as use it in daily decision making and monitoring of progress.