System and methods for automating well planning and data analysis for downhole operations are provided. Values of one or more operational variables are estimated for each of a plurality of operating intervals, based on a user-selected optimization parameter. The estimated values of the one or more operational variables are provided as inputs to a downhole tool for performing the downhole operation over a current one of the operating intervals along the planned well path. Responsive to receiving an indication that a condition in the well has changed while the downhole operation is performed during the current operating interval, subsequent operating intervals are updated along with the estimated values of the operational variable(s) for each subsequent operating interval. The planned well path is then adjusted by providing the updated values of the operational variable(s) as inputs to the downhole tool for performing the downhole operation over the subsequent operating intervals.