CPRE Strategic Leadership and Governance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When setting organizational priorities, which strategic planning framework uses vision, mission, goals, objectives, and action steps in a hierarchical structure?
- Balanced scorecard
- Logic model
- Strategic plan hierarchy (Correct answer)
- PEST analysis
Correct answer: Strategic plan hierarchy
A strategic plan hierarchy moves from broad aspirational vision through mission and goals down to measurable objectives and specific action steps.
Question 2: A park executive who uses data to demonstrate the economic impact of parks to elected officials is engaging in:
- Lobbying in violation of nonprofit regulations
- Evidence-based advocacy (Correct answer)
- Grant writing
- Community outreach programming
Correct answer: Evidence-based advocacy
Evidence-based advocacy uses research and data to make a compelling case to decision-makers for resources, policies, or support.
Question 3: Succession planning in a park agency involves:
- Scheduling staff vacation rotations
- Identifying and developing future leaders to fill key roles when vacancies occur (Correct answer)
- Planning for park site transitions after lease expiration
- Transferring land titles between agencies
Correct answer: Identifying and developing future leaders to fill key roles when vacancies occur
Succession planning ensures organizational continuity by preparing internal candidates to assume leadership responsibilities when key positions become vacant.
Question 4: The balanced scorecard approach to measuring agency performance evaluates outcomes across how many primary perspectives?
- Two
- Three
- Four (Correct answer)
- Six
Correct answer: Four
The balanced scorecard measures performance from four perspectives: financial, customer, internal processes, and learning and growth.
Question 5: When a park director faces conflicting demands from elected officials, community groups, and staff simultaneously, the appropriate leadership approach is to:
- Prioritize elected officials exclusively since they control the budget
- Apply stakeholder analysis to understand interests and facilitate transparent, values-based decisions (Correct answer)
- Delay decisions until all parties agree
- Assign a committee to handle all conflicts indefinitely
Correct answer: Apply stakeholder analysis to understand interests and facilitate transparent, values-based decisions
Stakeholder analysis helps leaders understand each group's interests, power, and influence, enabling transparent decision-making grounded in the agency's mission.
Question 6: A conflict of interest policy for park board members requires members to:
- Recuse themselves from any vote involving personal financial benefit (Correct answer)
- Resign from the board if they own a business
- Avoid attending public comment sessions
- Refrain from volunteering at park events
Correct answer: Recuse themselves from any vote involving personal financial benefit
Conflict of interest policies require board members to disclose and step back from decisions where personal financial or relational interests could compromise impartial judgment.
CPRE Strategic Leadership and Governance 2
When setting organizational priorities, which strategic planning framework uses vision, mission, goals, objectives, and action steps in a hierarchical structure?