The aim of the article is, based on focused theoretical considerations, to find empirical results concerning the character of several planning methods to find conclusions for their further development. Examined is the question if several understandings of planning rationality are expressed in several planning methods. Firstly, the debate on the term of rationality in planning is reflected, which can be pointed to the dichotomy between means-and-ends-rationality on one hand and communicative rationality on the other. Based on this, empirical findings of a research project are presented, where several planning methods were valued on three main dimensions: “rational”, “communicative” and “creative”. Connected to this, on the example of the useful value analysis is examined if rational planning methods were developed towards the “communicative turn” in planning. In the conclusion a more systematic communicative design of proven rational planning methods is seen as an important and practical relevant field of planning research.