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ESTABLISH A STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
A uniform strategic planning process mandated by executive order and coordinated through OSBM and the Governor's Policy Office helps state agencies effectively define their future direction. Using clear guidelines and constant collaboration, agencies are able to identify specific goals and focus on achieving results for North Carolina citizens.
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ASSESS ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
A thorough analysis of an agency's internal and external environment sets the stage for an effective strategic plan. By conducting an environmental assessment, an agency can identify its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This analysis provides agency leadership with the knowledge necessary to fully understand both the internal and external environment.
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IDENTIFY KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS
Strategic plans commonly focus on a few key performance areas where success is most critical over the next three to five years. A small number of priority goals can improve resource allocation decisions and focus time and effort on the most important tasks. In addition, adopting a set of performance measures helps to determine how much progress is being made on each goal.
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DEVELOP AGENCY STRATEGIC PLANS AND
TRANSLATE PLANS INTO ACTION
When goals and indicators of success are established, adopting strategies that outline what needs to be done allows an agency to achieve results in the critical areas. In addition, development of a program performance plan by each program within an agency helps to support the agency-wide strategic plan. Program performance plans have clear objectives and program-specific action steps and include measures to track the progress toward identified goals.
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EVALUATE THE PERFORMANCE OF AGENCIES
After strategic and program performance plans are established, progress can be evaluated to determine whether agencies are achieving set goals. OSBM, in conjunction with state agencies and the Office of the Governor, helps review agency performance and address areas that are not achieving desired results.
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USE INFORMATION TO
INFLUENCE MANAGEMENT DECISIONS
Regular reporting of performance provides valuable feedback to OSBM and the Governor's Office about how successful agencies are in achieving strategic goals and desired results. When underperformance is identified, agency leadership can develop new strategies and re-work programs in order to achieve goals. This cycle of improvement influences the way that state agencies are run and presses leaders to make state government work better.
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WHAT IS STRATEGIC PLANNING?
A strategic plan defines what an agency will do over the next three to five years and how it will achieve its desired results. Strategic planning is about influencing the future rather than simply preparing or adapting to it. In accordance to Executive Order Number 3, Section 1, each state agency will work with OSBM to develop a strategic plan in order to evaluate statewide and agency-specific operations, identify areas where progress is most essential and develop and execute a plan for the future.
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WHAT IS A PROGRAM
PERFORMANCE PLAN?
Program performance plans describe how strategies will be implemented and include activities and services to be performed, designation of responsibilities, and time frame involved for an agency to reach its strategic goals. In accordance to Executive Order Number 3, Section 3, each program in state government will produce a performance plan that aligns with an agency's strategic plan by establishing clear and measurable objectives and outlining action steps that align with agency goals.
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KEY BENEFITS OF STRATEGIC PLANNING
- Establishes a clear direction for state government agencies
- Improves state government by reinforcing strengths and addressing weaknesses
- Acts as a continuous communication medium with the public and media about important management issues
- Promotes quick responses to management deficiencies and allows for persistent follow-up on past issues and previous commitments
- Ensures that decisions are objective and data driven
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