So what is an optimum plan? I hear the word optimum all the time, and in my experience it often is used to describe a situation which is complex and needs improving, but those who use it are often not sure how. So how to take this and make more meaningful?
Optimum means the best. So what is best? Does it mean the most efficient, perhaps the most complex? Hang on doesn’t that imply length and costly? Maybe effective and practical are better descriptions? Well this can be formed if we have an objective, as this allows us to direct the plan giving us the practical approach, and to evaluate it giving us the effectiveness. Note that there may be several objectives, but best not to have too big a shopping list as some may be in conflict and dilute the plan e.g. a plan that gives maximum flexibility will not be the most efficient in terms of its use of resources. Resources are all the things required to enable the plan e.g. the sub-band available for planning. Also a resource is the effort to create the plan as well as that available to enact it. We also need to consider other practical aspects, such as constraints. These may be straightforward, e.g. the limitations of receiver technology and how we represent it. Constraints may also exist in the form of assumptions that arise due to poor definition of the problem e.g. lack of data describing service area. Assumptions can also be constraints in that are too general or invalid, or there may be limited resources available to do the optimization. Assumptions are also needed to say something about the future. In general it is very hard to predict the future, so an optimum plan will have to make assumptions. If the plan is not forgiving of change, then that is a danger. The best plans are perhaps those that are based upon simple and manageable criteria (i.e. SMART), and are subject to periodic review to ensure that they are appropriate throughout the lifetime of the plan.
It is therefore paramount that optimum is not confused with ideal; perhaps a better phrase is a practical plan that is effective delivering a tangible benefit compared to the situation of today. So optimum is perhaps a word that is best avoided, as it can be interpreted in so many ways and lead to unrealistic expectations. Effective and practical are terms that seem to be more balanced and meaningful…