A “centralized plan” typically refers to a planning and decision-making approach in which most, if not all, decision-making authority and control are concentrated in a central authority or organization. This means that decisions are made at the top or center of an organization or government, and lower-level entities or individuals may have limited autonomy or input in the decision-making process.

Centralized planning is often associated with command economies or authoritarian governments, where a central authority, such as the government, makes decisions about resource allocation, production, distribution, and other economic and social matters. In such systems, the central authority can plan and control various aspects of the economy, and the market forces have limited influence.

In contrast, decentralized planning involves a more distributed decision-making process, where various levels of an organization, local authorities, or market forces play a significant role in decision-making and resource allocation.

Centralized planning has both advantages and disadvantages. It can lead to more coordinated and efficient resource allocation in some cases, but it can also stifle innovation and individual initiative. Decentralized planning can provide more flexibility and adaptability but may lead to inefficiencies and inequalities if not well managed. The choice between centralized and decentralized planning often depends on the specific goals and context of the organization or government in question.