Discussion Post

Our readings/viewings focus on the final four steps of the strategic planning process, and also on how to measure the performance of the strategic plan, so we can see if we have really reached the goals we set out to accomplish.

Your job is to find a strategic plan in the public sector that has clearly labeled goals and performance measures (feel free to use the one from your chosen organization or another one you found from the StrategicSlam if it fits the bill).

If the plan you select does not have performance measures clearly labeled as such, find another plan (some plans call them objectives or other reference names but you want performance measures). Select two goals from the plan and two associated performance measure for each goal. In the forum this week, discuss the following (and make sure to tie your answers into the viewings/readings):

A. First, identify a total of 4 performance measures (two per goal).
B. Are they SMART goals/objectives/performance measures? Why or why not?
C. Will the measures really allow the organization to know if they succeeded? Why or why not?
D. If the measures aren`t SMART, rewrite them.

References

Read Bryson & Alston workbook, Steps 7 - 10
Read the "Example of Performance Report" by the City of Bettendorf (required)
Read the "San Francisco Good Measures" document (optional reading)