The Plan
In the beginning there was the plan
And then came the assumptions
And the assumptions were without form
And the plan was completely without substance
And darkness was on the faces of the workers
And they spake unto their Group Heads, saying,
`The plan is a crock of shit, and it stinketh.'

And the Group Heads went unto their Section Heads and sayeth, It is a pail of dung, and none may abide the odour thereof.'
And the Section Heads went unto their Managers, and sayeth unto them, `This plan is a container of excrement, and it is very strong, such that none may abide it.'

And the Managers went unto their Director, and sayeth unto him, `It is a vessel of fertilizer, and none may abide its strength.'
And the Directors went unto their Director-General, and sayeth, `It contains that which aids plant growth, and it is very strong.'

And the Director-General went unto the Assistant Deputy Minister, and
sayeth unto him, `It promoteth growth, and it is very powerful.'
And the ADM went unto the Deputy Minister, and sayeth unto him, `This powerful new plan will actively promote the growth and efficiency of the department, and this area in particular.' And the Deputy-Minister looked upon the plan, And he saw that it was good; And so the plan became policy.