Strategic planning for 

GCMRC

Jeff Lovich
Objectives

• Strategic Plan• Core Monitoring Plan• Long-term Experimental Plan• Study Plans
Strategy is important becau

• If you don't know where your business 

going, any road will get you there.

• Strategy without tactics is the slowest 

to victory. Tactics without strategy is tnoise before defeat. (Sun Tzu) 
Strategic vs. operational* p

• Strategic plan

- visionary- conceptual- directional- short (20-25 pages)

• Operational 

- shorter term- tactical- focused- implementab- measurable- detailed

*or implementation
Strategic plan should...

• Serve as a framework for decisions or 

securing support. 

• Provide a basis for more detailed plan• Explain the business to others in orde

inform, motivate & involve

• Assist benchmarking & performance 

monitoring

• Clarify existing strategies • Stimulate change and become building 

for next plan
History

• Last approved plan 1998-2002• Revised plan 2000-2004
2nd Strategic Plan

• Not visionary• Not short• Too complicated• Contains redundant information• Reiteration of old plan in many wa• Does not reflect our new organiza
GCMRC strategic plan 

underpinnings

1) Science

- Objective- Non-advocacy- Relevant

2) Responsive to AMP Strategic Pla

- Principles- Goals- MO’s- IN’s
GCMRC strategic plan 

underpinning. Part 2

3) GCMRC responsibility

- Will involve input and feedback staff- AMP review opportunity (TWG, AMWG and SAB)- Final decisions on format, contand implementation remain w/ GCMRC
Contents of Strategic Pl
Vision

• 5 year time frame (FY05-09)
GCMRC is a well-integrated research and monitoring prog

state-of-the-art information on the effects of Glen Canyon operations on natural and cultural resources in the Grand Ecosystem. Much of our research is done with our cooperinterdisciplinary framework. Results, databases, and geosinformation are published and disseminated in real time thweb site, scientific journals and other USGS products. We produce a State of the Colorado River Ecosystem report tby resource managers as the undisputed source of relevainformation on the topic. Our science is in synch with the our stakeholders who come to us as the acknowledged exthe Grand Canyon Ecosystem. The stakeholders value ouprovide us with increased funding through their advocacy USGS budget process via lobbying. GCMRC is nationally ainternationally recognized for the quality of our work and wregularly consulted as the model for adaptive managemenclient satisfaction. Several employees are recipients of preDepartment-level awards. Employee satisfaction is high anthe envy of the USGS as a place to work. 
Mission

To provide credible, objective scientifinformation to the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program on the effects of operating Glen Canyon Dam the downstream resources of the Colorado River ecosystem, utilizing an ecosystem science approach. 
Linkages

• USGS Strategic Plan• AMP Strategic Plan• NRC recommendations• MATA results• Input from Science Advisors• Other relevant historical documen
Evaluation of strengths a

weaknesses

• What are the areas that we curren

have capacity to accomplish?

• What are the areas that we need t

develop to have capacity in the fu

• What are the opportunities/critica

needs in the future?
Drivers and emerging issu

(What are the “big” science question

• Core monitoring• Long-term experimental plan• TCD• Drought• Global change• Compliance monitoring• Invasive species
Corporate values

• Responsiveness to AMP [Goals, M

IN’s] 

• Product-oriented• Diversity• Rewarding environment• Accountability (personal and $)
Strategic direction for 

accomplishing our missio

• Take more risks with promising 

research

• Diversify pool of contractors, 

cooperators and collaborators

• Work w/ TWG to establish clear S• Workforce planning• Staff involvement
Goals

• Regular SCORE report (biennial) in 1 y• Major revamp of web site in 1 year to 

facilitate access to state-of-the-art information on GCE

• Achieve target staff size in 2-4 years• Achieve target contract/inhouse ratio i

years

• Implement best organizational structu

year

• Establish a Science Council in 1 year
Strategic action plans

• Develop a comprehensive busine

plan (w/ org. chart) in 6 months following completion of Strat. Pla

• Implement web-based SCORE rep• Complete Core Monitoring Plan• Complete Long-term Experimenta• Increase public outreach with maj

products
Vision

• Well-integrated science• Data and results shared in real tim• SCORE report• Total relevance to needs of AMP• National and international recogn

as CRE and AM experts

• A great place to work