Strategic Planning and the U.S. Air Force: Characteristics of Success

Abstract

This report summarizes the findings of a RAND study on the future of strategic planning in the U.S. Air Force. The study's purpose is to evaluate the history and current practice of strategic planning in the service, culminating in the 2015 Strategic Master Plan (SMP), and to offer insight and recommendations on routes to effective strategy making and planning in general and with regard to the SMP in particular. In order to do this, the study has pursued various lines of inquiry and examined a range of data, literatures, and empirical evidence. Its goal is not to generate a specific finding about a "right" or best answer but instead to offer an ongoing stream of insight to senior Air Force leaders to help them shape the future of the SMP and associated documents and processes. This research was commissioned by the Director of Strategy, Concepts and Assessments, Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Requirements, and conducted within the Strategy and Doctrine Program of RAND Project AIR FORCE. It is part of a larger study, entitled "Support for USAF Strategic Master Plan Implementation," that assists the Air Force with executing the SMP. This report should be of value to the national security community and interested members of the general public, especially those with an interest in strategic plans and Air Force organizational culture.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2017
Accession Number
AD1085738

Entities

People

  • Caitlin Lee
  • Diana G. Carew
  • Jeffrey Eggers
  • Laura Werber
  • Michael J. Mazarr
  • Michael Spirtas
  • Raphael S. Cohen
  • Rebeca Orrie
  • Sean M. Zeigler

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Power
  • Aircrafts
  • Business Administration
  • Computer Programming
  • Employment
  • Governments
  • Literature Surveys
  • Management Personnel
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Operating Systems
  • Organizational Structure
  • Public Administration
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Business

Readers

  • Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
  • Defense Technology Research and Development.
  • Organizational Process Management (OPM).