planner

A planner is a person who designs plans to achieve objectives, or a tool that organizes tasks, timelines, and resources. The term covers professionals such as urban planners, event planners, and production planners, as well as devices like day planners and calendar apps. In software, "Planner" denotes planning and collaboration tools that help teams schedule work and track progress.

Urban planners develop land-use policies and infrastructure proposals; event planners coordinate venues, vendors, budgets, and schedules; production planners manage manufacturing capacity, inventory, and flow; financial planners advise individuals or organizations on investments and risk; strategic planners shape long-term goals and resource allocation. All types rely on data, forecasting, and stakeholder communication.

Education and certification vary by specialization. Urban planners often hold degrees in planning or related fields and may pursue professional accreditation; financial planners may obtain credentials such as CFP. The modern planning profession emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries with urban reforms and movements such as the Garden City, and it now relies on GIS, modeling, and collaborative methods. Critics point to planning biases and bureaucratic complexity, but planning remains central to organizing complex projects and environments.