Strategic Plan

As defined by section 3 of GPRA, a Strategic Plan should contain the following elements:

• A comprehensive mission statement.
• A description of general goals and objectives. "A general goal is an elaboration of the mission statement, developing with greater specificity how an agency will carry out its mission. The goal may be of a programmatic, policy, or management nature, and is expressed in a manner which allows a future assessment to be made of whether the goal was or is being achieved." "A general objective is often synonymous with a general goal. In a Strategic Plan, an objective(s) may complement a general goal whose achievement cannot be directly measured. The assessment is made on the objective rather than the general goal."
• A description of how the general goals and objectives will be achieved. These can include operational processes, skills and technologies, and human, capital, information and other resources. The description should also outline the process for communicating goals and objectives throughout the agency, an for assigning accountability to managers and staff for achievement of objectives.
• A description of the relationship between performance goals in the annual performance plan and general goals and objectives in the strategic plan.
• Identification of key factors (economic, demographic, social or environmental) that could affect achievement of the general goals and objectives; certain conditions (events) not happening; and actions of Congress, other Federal agencies, local governments.
• A description of program evaluations used, and a schedule for future evaluations.