It depends on where you are in the process. You and your team will give more time to planning before and right after arriving on the field, and less time “doing”. As time on the field proceeds, planning will more involve evaluating and revising the plan, and “doing” will occupy far more of your time.

Spend the time needed on planning, but you can spend too much time planning for details over which you have no control. If you lack basic planning skills, this may lead to taking more time to plan than necessary. If this is the case, you may need to read or work with a mentor to develop these skills.

Resources

Allison, Michael and Jude Kaye, Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations: A Practical Guide and Workbook, Second Edition

Terry, John Mark and J.D. Payne, Developing a Strategy for Missions: A Biblical, Historical, and Cultural Introduction

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