What is a best practice for managing long-term plans?

Separating distinct versions is considered a best practice for managing long-term plans because it allows for clearer tracking and management of different scenarios or iterations of a plan. This approach helps in distinguishing between various forecasts, budgets, or strategic plans, which can be critical when assessing impacts of changes or comparing outcomes over time. By having separate versions, stakeholders can maintain a clean record of past plans, easily analyze changes, and ensure that all team members are aware of which version is the current plan versus which are outdated.

This practice also aids in collaboration, as it provides clarity and avoids confusion among team members who may be working with different iterations of the plan. Clear separation of versions ensures that everyone is aligned on goals and actions related to the most relevant plans, enhancing overall planning effectiveness within an organization.