AbstractThe current corporate planning process in Westrail is described and the roles played by operational research and mathematical modelling identified. They do not include forecasting the future. Instead of the "predict and prepare paradigm" a planning approach that tries to design the future has been adopted. The organisation is described in terms of how it has evolved, what it now is, and the key features of its environment. The three stages of planning are described-strategic, tactical and operational. These provide the means for management control of the railway. Environmental assessments linked to goal setting activities are incorporated within the planning process. The significance of operational research in planning, in particular mathematical modelling, is also described. Instead of finding problems to which existing techniques can be applied, O.R. is used to provide effective operational and planning systems as a means of assisting management to design the future for the organisation.