planbunnede

Planbunnede is a neologism used primarily in Norwegian and Scandinavian online communities to describe a layered approach to planning in which a secondary, underpinning plan is embedded beneath the primary strategy. The core idea is to guarantee resilience by preparing contingencies that can be activated without requiring substantial changes to the main plan. The term is not widely used in formal academic or professional management literature, and its meanings vary across contexts.

Etymology and origin: The word is a compound derived from plan and bunnen, a Norwegian root meaning bottom or underpinning, signaling a bottom layer of planning that supports the visible plan. Its exact origins are not clearly documented, but it emerged in online discussions and practical guides in the 2010s and has since circulated in Norwegian-language circles dealing with project management, risk, and resilience.

Concept and practices: Planbunnede refers to predefined fallback configurations, parallel supply chains, alternate decision criteria, and staged rollouts with hidden toggles. It emphasizes keeping a viable alternative strategy ready that can be deployed while the primary plan continues or is adjusted. In software development, it can manifest as feature flags and rollback mechanisms. In operations and logistics, it may involve separate procurement paths or modular architectures that allow rapid switching without disrupting ongoing activities.

Reception and critique: Some observers view planbunnede as duplicative or opaque, potentially adding complexity or reducing transparency. Proponents argue it improves resilience, reduces reaction times during disruptions, and provides a smoother path to recovery when assumptions fail.

See also: Contingency planning, risk management, redundancy, business continuity, resilience.