Citation

Orthner DK, Smith S, Wright D. Eval. Program Plann. 1986; 9(3): 199-207.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1986, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0149-7189(86)90017-0

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Strategic planning is a key element in organizational effectiveness and growth. A fundamental step in the planning process is the strategic needs assessment: a systematic procedure for accessing information about constituents' needs which impact and shape organizational objectives and planning decisions. Reported here is the development and field test of a strategic needs assessment for the U.S. Navy Division of Recreational Services. The assessment established systematic procedures for gathering objective, reliable information about Navy members' and families' needs for recreational services. The final product was a strategic needs assessment package that included: a brief but comprehensive OPSCAN questionnaire, procedures for conducting the survey, and software for analyzing the data and generating summary reports for local managers.