In many walks of life, five year plans are used as a barometer for future progress.
Most famously, they were first used by Jozef Stalin as a list of economic goals based on his policy of Socialism in One Country in the Soviet Union in 1929.
Fast forward to the present day and the term 'five-year plan' has been used in connection with the recent takeover of Torquay United by Riviera Stadium Ltd - a subsidiary of Gaming International who were in talks to buy the club in the summer before the deal collapsed.
Following the completion of the takeover, GI Chief Executive Clarke Osborne issued a statement in which he talked of a five-year plan which was issued on the club website stating: "Our initial work is to ensure that the Club is stable whilst compiling a 5-year plan to secure the Clubs future and bring high level football entertainment to Torbay."
There has been speculation that a number of former directors of the club could be approached to oversee the day-to-day running of United and a role for the Torquay United Supporters' Trust has also been mentioned.
Osborne has also spoken of immediate investment in the first team, rebuilding the club's youth scheme and a possible stadium move in the future with Nightingale Park in Barton a likely favoured destination.
Whilst a new stadium could help generate revenue streams for the club, a return to the Football League for the Gulls, and helping them to stay, there has to be central to any ambitions for relocation.
In 2005, Burton Albion - then still a Conference side - left Eton Park, their home since 1958, to move to the Pirelli Stadium. Four years later, the Brewers were celebrating promotion to the Football League for the first time ever and have since progressed as far as the Championship.
If Gaming International's plan eventually is to move Torquay United away from Plainmoor, then they will need to get things right at the Gulls' present home first on the pitch.
Much speculation has been made of GI's possible plans for Plainmoor should a stadium move occur and many still remain sceptical. Nevertheless, the ultimate success of their venture - and this is what makes the industry of football so unique - is that the overall performance of the business is ultimately defined by the fortunes of the team on the pitch.
