BEA's preliminary strategic plan for 2001-2005

Survey of Current Business, Dec, 2001 by J. Steven Landefeld

As part of a year-long internal review of its mission and its goals, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) has developed a preliminary Strategic Plan that outlines the major elements of BEA's plan of work through the year 2005. The Strategic Plan, which has a broader focus than the Mid-Decade Strategic Review of 6 1/2 years ago, will guide BEA's ongoing efforts to improve the quality reliability and dissemination of its economic accounts. The plan will be a flexible, "living" document that will be reviewed and updated annually.

This Strategic Plan has been presented to BEA employees and to the BEA Advisory Committee, and many of their suggestions have been incorporated. The plan is presented here to reach others who have an interest in BEA's data. After a period of public review and comment, BEA will publish the final version of the plan in the spring of 2002.

You are encouraged to submit your comments. Does the plan address the most important issues? Do you agree with the actions and priorities proposed in the plan? Please send your comments by January 31, 2002: By mail to Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230; by fax to 202-606-5311; or by e-mail to comments@bea.doc.gov.

J. Steven Landefeld
Director, Bureau of Economic Analysis

THE Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) produces economic accounts statistics that enable government and business decision-makers, researchers, and the American public to follow and understand the performance of the Nation's economy. To do this, BEA collects source data, conducts research and analysis, develops and implements estimation methodologies, and disseminates statistics to the public.

Vision

To be the world's most respected producer of economic accounts statistics.

Values

* Integrity: Maintaining the sterling reputation of BEA and its statistics.

* Quality: Producing accurate, relevant, and timely statistics.

* Staff excellence: Fostering, recognizing, and rewarding contributions of employees.

* Responsiveness to customers: Providing what they want, when and how they want it.

* Innovation: Meeting the challenges of new technology and the changing economy.

Goals

Goal 1. Make BEA's economic accounts and services more responsive to the needs of its customers and partners

BEA is concentrating on improving its relationships with its customers and partners. The Strategic Plan identifies specific actions that address such objectives as establishing and improving two-way communication with customers through regular customer surveys and other sources of feedback; expanding outreach efforts to data users, the Congress, trade associations, the business community, and the news media through the more effective use of technology, partnerships, and informational materials; upgrading the technology used to collect and disseminate information; and redesigning BEA's Web site to provide more explanations, background information, searchable links to metadata, and other interactive features.

Performance: Performance under goal 1 will be monitored by measures such as the following:

* Customer satisfaction with BEA's products and services, as determined by regular customer surveys;

* Number of outreach activities and events;

* Number of Web site users.

Goal 2. Attract, develop, and retain a highly qualified, diverse workforce prepared to innovate and improve BEA's statistics

BEA faces a variety of workplace challenges. The Strategic Plan identifies specific actions that address such workplace objectives as improving employee retention and recruitment by more effectively using the flexibility of the Personnel Management Demonstration Project, by supporting continuous career development for all employees, by aiming employee training plans toward future workforce needs, and by improving the system for recognizing and rewarding employees for their work.

Performance: Performance under goal 2 will be monitored by measures such as the following:

* Employee satisfaction, as determined by regular employee surveys;

* Employee retention rate;

* Speed of recruitment actions;

* Training program milestones met.

Goal 3. Upgrade resource management to support BEA's strategic goals

Support for the initiatives outlined in the Strategic Plan will come from the more effective use of existing resources (through productivity-enhancing technology investments and changes in work processes and products) and from incremental resources. To manage its resources effectively, BEA will have to better account for the costs and benefits of existing and proposed work. By using new financial accounting support and by stepping up its interaction with customers, the Department, and statistical agency partners, BEA will more effectively conduct its programs, allocate resources, and plan for the provision of resources to achieve the Bureau's goals.

Upgrading BEA's financial management.--BEA is developing a cost-based budget for existing and proposed work that is directly linked to the Bureau's activities. As a result, BEA will be better able to identify the costs and benefits of its programs for its customers, the Administration, and the Congress as a part of the budget formulation process. Moreover, BEA will be better able to track and manage its existing resources. This objective will be accomplished by obtaining the resources for an internal budget staff, by implementing an activity-based cost system, and by completing a smooth transition of our core financial system to the Commerce Department's new Commerce Administrative Management System.