Strategic Management: A Core Responsibility of Local Government Administrators

Abstract

This chapter discusses the application of strategic management in local government. It addresses the more encompassing strategic management process and concludes with a discussion of how to develop strategic management capacity in local governments. A strong strategic management capability is essential because it provides both a short- and long-term sense of direction for the local jurisdiction relative to both its internal and external environments, which could be changing continually. Strategic management, on the other hand, refers to the broader process of managing an organization in a strategic manner on a continuing basis. Strategic planning and management at the local level is conditioned by the unique setting and context of local government as opposed to state and federal government, nonprofit organizations, and private corporations. When implemented throughout a jurisdiction, the scope of strategic planning should be as broad as the reach of current activities and emerging issues of the city or county government.