90 



strategic Planning 



A number of actions would be necessary prior to the Team 

 evaluations and merit assessments of the Panel. They are: 



o All facilities or proposals would develop a clear and 

 concise statement pertaining to their mission. 



o All facilities or proposals would develop on an annual 

 basis, a five-year written plan which describes who the 

 organization is, where it is going, and how it is going to 

 get there. This strategic plan would be used for management 

 purposes and to facilitate evaluation of performance. 



o Each facility and proposal would follow a standard 

 outline in producing its strategic plan which would be 

 provided by the Panel. 



The Strategic Plan would reflect the unique combination of 

 the Facility's interest and capabilities, and would discuss 

 features of the Facility in sufficient detail to be evaluated in 

 accordance with the guidelines and criteria. 



The UAB recommends that the National Science Foundation 

 (NSF) Guidelines for proposed Science and Technology Research 

 Centers' be utilized in a modified form to address existing and 

 proposed Federal and University agricultural research facilities. 



Each Strategic Plan should contain the following elements 

 and additional subsections: 



Executive Summary. Provide clear descriptions of the 

 Facility, its intellectual theme, and its distinguishing 

 features. 



Rationale for the Facility. Why is the Facility needed? 

 What differences will this Facility make within the context 

 of the total resources and Facilities available in the 

 United States? What other Federal or University facilities 

 are conducting similar research? How does this Facility 

 relate to similar Facilities in the Nation, Region or State? 



Description of the Intellectual Focus and Research. A 

 Facility's intellectual theme should be sufficiently long- 

 term to justify it. The Facility must have sufficient (focus 

 to have definable goals. Describe the proposed research 

 goals and activities in adequate detail to allow assessment 

 of their scientific merit and the need for use of the 

 Facility mode of research. In addition, state the 



National Science Foundation, NSF-STRC report, 87-75 



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