Strategic Planning for Public Organizations Flashcards

Under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), federal agencies are required to submit which type of planning document to Congress?

Answer: Strategic plans covering a minimum five-year period

GPRA requires federal agencies to develop multi-year strategic plans (at least five years) that include mission statements, goals, and performance indicators.

In strategic planning, 'strategic fit' refers to the alignment between:

Answer: An organization's strategy and its internal capabilities and external environment

Strategic fit occurs when an organization's strategy is well-matched to both its internal strengths and the demands of its external environment.

A public agency wants to build community resilience through cross-sector collaboration. Which strategic planning model is MOST appropriate?

Answer: Collaborative or network-based strategic planning

Collaborative strategic planning engages multiple sectors (government, nonprofit, private) as co-producers of public value and strategy.

Which component of a logic model represents the direct products of program activities?

Answer: Outputs

Outputs are the direct, tangible products or services produced by program activities, such as training sessions held or reports published.

A department head resists a new strategic initiative because it threatens her unit's budget. This behavior BEST illustrates:

Answer: Bureaucratic self-interest undermining strategic change

Bureaucratic self-interest occurs when units prioritize protecting their resources or status over the organization's broader strategic goals.

The concept of 'strategic capacity' in public organizations refers to:

Answer: The organizational ability to think and act strategically on a sustained basis

Strategic capacity is the sustained organizational capability—including leadership, skills, data, and processes—needed to develop and execute strategy effectively.

In a public agency's strategic plan, 'core values' serve primarily to:

Answer: Guide organizational behavior and decision-making during strategy implementation

Core values articulate the ethical principles and behavioral standards that guide how the organization pursues its mission and strategy.