At the Potomac conference, we identified common goals and visions for the future. We shaped those results into a draft strategic plan for the Commerce acquisition community when we met again in Kansas City the following month. This Plan represents our vision of where we need to be in the year 2000 and beyond, and provides a road map for getting there. It is good to have a plan, but will take motivated people to turn this plan into action. The primary Customer is the program manager who requires goods or services to fulfill a program objective.
Vendors are also indirect customers of the process.
To achieve this goal, we must reduce cycle time while still providing quality goods and services at reasonable prices. To measure both progress and customer satisfaction, performance measurements and survey based feedback will be institutionalized. The acquisition office of the future will no longer operate reactively, but will seek to identify mission needs and opportunities to assist. This may be best accomplished by designing virtual organizations, promoting internal partnerships, and effectively deploying technology. Through active involvement in bureau planning processes and creative allocation of procurement professionals, much can be done to maximize the use of resources.