Evaluating the integrated development plan for service delivery within the auspices of the South African municipalities

The aim of this article is to conduct an evaluation of how the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) as a management planning tool can be utilised within South African municipalities, with a view of making recommendations for a planning model to serve as a protagonist towards the enhancement of service delivery. Also, the article argues that the integration of management planning into municipal planning processes can contribute to enhancing service delivery.This study is conceptual and collects data through available literature, IDPs of various municipalities, pieces of legislation and other government policies. Succinctly, management planning is a process principally concerned with the future, through a predetermined sequence of steps giving structures to encourage a logical approach. The IDP as a management planning tool serves as a municipal forecast for a period of five years formulated through phases and steps seeking to guide management in planning and service delivery. Service delivery in developing countries is amongst the challenges of the 21^st century in the African continent and South Africa also forms part of the distressed countries in terms of service delivery.