Development planning and supervision law was enacted to protect the interests of local, state, federal and tribal governments that are involved in development projects. It aims to promote economic growth and to ensure public health, safety, environmental protection and quality of life. Basically, it is a set of laws that govern the interaction of people, organizations, businesses and government agencies during the process of developing a project. Some examples of these include the National Parks Service Act, the Department of Interior’s Office of Natural Resources Programs Act and the General Services Administration’s Office of Special Services Programs Act.
The purpose of this law is to define who is responsible for managing development projects. For instance, in public works, this includes the Secretary of the Interior who is responsible for coordinating all federal agencies that are involved in the management of public lands. Other than the Secretary, various cabinet-level officials like the Assistant Secretary for Public Health and Welfare, the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Coordination and the General Services Administration’s chief information officer are responsible for carrying out development activities on behalf of the United States.
This law was created to improve the planning and organizing powers of the government. In doing so, it helps in the formulation of plans and projects that help in the economic, social and environmental welfare of the nation as a whole. It is also needed in order to coordinate various activities between governmental agencies in implementing their respective responsibilities. This coordination improves project management, increases efficiency and makes the project effective. Development planning and supervision are an essential element of government at all levels.
A variety of activities may be included in the term ‘development planning and supervision’. These may include the implementation of developmental policies, implementation of cost-benefits analysis, establishment of rules and regulations for resource use, establishment of goals and targets for the projects, establishment of monitoring systems such as project control boards and systems for periodic review and reporting, training of appropriate personnel, and the conduct of periodic reviews of these activities. All these activities are done in support of the primary objective of achieving development. This objective must be made sure first before taking any action. The importance and relevance of development planning and supervision cannot be understood without analyzing its significance in the execution of government policies. For, in its essence, it provides guidelines for government policies, objectives, goals, and policies.
A policy established under development planning and supervision law ensures that the implementation of the project proceeds smoothly. In fact, the implementation of the law is closely linked to the smooth running of the project. It is necessary therefore that, the law must be sufficiently clear covering all the phases involved in the development process. The law must provide for consultation and assistance at each stage, including analysis, design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and controlling. Consultation may involve discussion with owners, workers, tenants, and other interested parties.
Control is very important in the area of development planning and supervision. Supervision ensures that the project proceeds smoothly by ensuring that the objectives and plans are being carried out as per the specifications laid down by the law. It is responsible for ensuring that no undesirable effects occur during the implementation of the project. In addition, control is also needed over the use of resources, compliance with laws and regulations, and preservation of records.
The operation of a project is normally affected by three factors; namely the selection of the project, the selection of the staff involved in the execution of the project, and finally the conduct of the project. Each factor can be dealt with effectively only by proper planning. Development supervision thus plays a vital role in the execution of projects and it is an essential part of the overall management of the public sector. It can therefore be said that development supervision aims at providing suitable facilities and support to the managerial processes involved in development supervision.
While the operation of a planning and supervising body is generally considered to be a very simple process, there are certain complications associated with the implementation of such a task. Planning must be done in a timely manner so that it facilitates effective implementation. Supervisors can only supervise after proper planning has taken place. There are situations where the senior supervisors of a company find it difficult to supervise effectively, wherein the company has its own in-house planning and supervising body, which is given special powers by the government.