The anticipated influx of federal funding should be discussed in tandem with the importance of developing a strategic work plan, and a project prioritization system that will improve overall performance. At TransPro, we strive to support agencies through a strategic planning process that clearly defines success and the key activities that should be executed to deliver this success. This planning process will be key for many agencies moving forward.
Earlier this year, one agency in the Pacific Northwest embarked on a Strategic Business Plan development process that would help the Board and staff establish a clear definition of success and a work plan of prioritized activities (tactics).
Read on to learn about the outcomes of this process and how it established a framework for future success.
To begin, the agency’s staff and board aligned around refreshed Mission, Vision, and Value statements that inspire and represent their core “Why”. After robust debate and discussion, overarching success outcomes were identified in the areas of Customer Satisfaction, Employee Engagement, Community Value, Financial Performance, and Sustainability. It is this clear definition of success that allowed staff to develop a system for prioritizing existing and new projects to appropriately deliver the agency’s success outcomes. The organization’s final Strategic Business plan outlined over 30 tactics containing quarterly milestones for projects and initiatives designed to move the needle on strategic priorities.
For many agencies, the absence of a clear definition of success is what may contribute to downfall. By establishing success outcomes before the fiscal year begins, agencies are able to align the budget process to the outcomes and activities that have been identified as key to driving success. This will be especially important in the coming year as federal funding to transit agencies increases.
