DEVELOPMENT OF A STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PROCESS: A CASE STUDY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

There is a paucity of literature concerning strategic planning in the public sector. The purpose of this paper is to fill this gap with a case study of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). Strategic management in PennDOT evolved as a result of top management's determination to establish priorities and set direction for the agency. A broad organizational-level perspective was pursued; program and project-level planning were decentralized. A strategic management committee and seven substantive subcommittees have been established to set direction and manage change. This committee structure has been the focal point for the strategic management process in general and more specifically for organizational direction setting. PennDOT has applied strategic management in several ways. A concept of business groups has evolved as a new way of thinking about the agency. Major objectives for 1983-1986 have been defined that are the basis for overall department accountability and direction. Strategies to achieve them have been systematically formulated. Four-year district business plans tied to the major objectives have been initiated as a means for management and program planning at the district level. The strategic management process has been fused with the annual budget process for the development of the 1985-1986 budget. In the near future, additional activities and functions such as management development and training, information systems, and internal resource allocations will receive increased strategic attention. Efforts will be undertaken to make the process more useful throughout the department. A key challenge is to preserve this process in a political environment.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1985/1028/1028-008.pdf
• Summary URL:
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  • Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Publication of this paper sponsored by Task Force on Strategic Planning Process.
• Authors:
  • Harned, Ellis W
  • Proctor, Linda M
  • Bowser, Lee H
  • Chase, Keith M
• Publication Date: 1985

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: pp 47-53
• Monograph Title: Planning, programming, and systems evaluation in the United States and developing countries
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1028
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Budgeting; Case studies; Decentralization; State departments of transportation; Strategic planning
• Identifier Terms: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
• Geographic Terms: Pennsylvania
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Finance; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00455813
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309039193
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: May 31 1986 12:00AM