In this module, you will apply your work, classroom, and fieldwork experience to advise a new Director who wants to implement strategic planning in the New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller (see webliography under General Budget Information). This individual is new to the government but has extensive experience in public (for profit) and nonprofit organizations. She has led accounting, budgeting, and auditing functions in these prior organizations. This individual has a keen interest in using strategic planning to help spend taxpayer dollars wisely.

The Director wants a list of basic principles to enable this organization to position itself to respond effectively to external demands, to link planning with performance, and to be effective and efficient. We want to help this individual appreciate the key aspects of strategic planning and how they might apply in this office.

Please address the following points. Outline for the director the key organizational elements, how you would describe the relationship among these key elements, and how they link to one another to ensure the success of her strategic planning efforts. In addition, sketch out for the Director the sequence of the major steps you recommend that she use to complete a strategic plan.