Strategic Planning: An Update from our Division Director [Leader's Corner

Abstract

In January, IEEE President Staecker held a retreat for the Board, and our committee was a large part of the agenda. Our goal was to begin a dialog on IEEE priorities and try to develop them so they could last for a few years at least. We took a brave step and tried using a technique that is new to IEEE: the technique is called Appreciate Inquiry, and it was developed by Dr. David Cooperrider. At the heart of the Appreciative Inquiry process is the 4D cycle: discovery, dream, design, and destiny. Elena Gerstmann (senior director, IEEE Enterprise Planning and Development) and I co-led a session at the January retreat to help sitting directors and senior IEEE staff discover and dream about what IEEE could be in 2023. Some fascinating ideas were developed that made me proud to be an IEEE member. The great thing about these priorities is that many of the key initiatives that we are already delivering on are embedded within them or within our mission: Advancing technology for humanity. Take the PES Community Solutions and PES Scholarship initiatives; they are in both the green and the blue priorities, and community solutions definitely supports our mission.