Reviewing Administrative Bodie's Performance: A Prerequisite of Iran's Development

A review of Iran's planning history, especially the post Islamic Revolution experience, as well as the impacts of the first two Development Plans and problems faced while executing them, sheds light on loopholes in the domestic planning system. A survey of Iran's planning process reveals the absence of a correct outlook toward planning and the general view that planning is at best a mechanical venture. As such, the variables incorporated in planning models are mainly those set forth by the developed countries and prevalent on the global scene. The models, therefore, comply more with the situation of the said countries (rather than that of Iran). This, of course, does not mean that the prevalent models cannot be implemented in Iran. It rather indicates that the said models should be revised to incorporate variables that pertain to the Iranian situation. Also the general outlook toward planning (and its stages) is incorrect. A close look at the planning process shows that this process is often devised up to the stage of enforcement (of course in an inefficient way), ignoring one of the most important phases of planning, namely the postimplementation auditing and assessment. In fact, the only official post-implementation auditing and assessment system that exists in Iran is the budget assessment. One of the major duties shouldered by the Management and Planning Organization, as indicated in its job description in the Plan and Budget Law, is not only planning but also auditing and assessing the performance of executive bodies. A review of Iran's economic realities and shortcomings underlines the need for the Management and Planning Organization to replace its traditional assessment with a modern one and to utilize the latter's elements, including assessment indices, standard performance criteria, standard assessment, information dissemination for the evaluated party, and improvement methods. The Organization should, moreover, update the country's performance eveluation which is the cornerstone of development. This task entails not only planning by the Management and Planning Organization but also creation of fit grounds by other influential bodies, among which the Majlis (Islamic Consultative Assembly) especially its specialized commissions, plays a major role as one the most important decision making and legislative bodies in the country.