Respond to discussion-

Respond by offering alternative perspectives of how you might revise the strategic plans your colleagues discussed.

Reminder: Be sure to support your posting and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources and/or current literature. Use APA formatting to cite references in your posting and responses.

COLLAPSE

The Public Institution selected for my term project is the only Legislative body in Ghana. The institution is among the institutions created under the 1992 Constitution of Ghana under Article 93(1), and its mandate among others is to legislate, exercise oversight and financial control, as well as influence policy within the democratic process. The institution is supported by the Parliamentary Service, created by the Parliamentary Service Act, 1993, Act 460. The institution is staffed with professionals providing a range of support services including research, finance, human resources ICT, etc.

Vision Statement

To be a model of legislative excellence in Africa.

Mission Statement

To legislate, represent and protect the people within the framework of the Constitution, supported by an efficient, non-partisan, innovative and professional Parliamentary Service structured to ensure the dignity of Parliament.

The short term Strategic objectives of the strategic plan of the institution are:

1. Improve the ability of Parliament to exercise effective financial oversight
2. Improve effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of services.
3. Ensure adequate infrastructure to sustain excellence in service delivery

These goals are a result of internal and external stakeholder analysis and environmental scan which highlighted institutional strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats with short term implications for the institution. In formulating the goals, care was taken not to ignore current major issues in the interest of pursuing more creative and forward-looking goals. According to Carter (2014) many organizations have faltered because their planning focused too far down the road and they ended up falling over their feet.
For example the need to address capacity for financial oversight need urgent attention and will have to be addressed with a 3-year period objectives.

In the longer term 15 -20 years the following objectives will be pursed:

1. Strengthen the capacity of the institution to effectively perform Parliament's legislative function

2. Ensure the representational function is made more relevant to the needs of the public.

The strategic plan did address the issue of ability of introduction of Private Members Bills so that members can have an avenue to seek changes to legislations affecting their constituents. Stakeholders cited the need to secure amendment of the constitution before it can be addressed. The current plan crafted a strategic initiative to secure amendment so that the issue can be addressed in the next plan.

References

1. Bryson, J. M. (2011). Strategic planning for public and nonprofit organizations: A guide to strengthening and sustaining organizational achievement (4th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

2. Free Management Library. (n.d.). Basics of identifying strategic issues and goals. Retrieved June 14, 2014, from http://managementhelp.org/strategicplanning/issues-goals.htm