The state of our IT, short or long term, is a direct reflection of how well we've planned. Our hindsight is only as good as the plans we made the previous year and the end results. So, how should we plan? Do we plan based on empirical data? What about using creativity or projections? How well thought out is the IT planning process and what safeguards do we need to ensure that the final result is a strategic IT plan which will create success and growth?