The USGS Strategic Plan Date: Thu, 20 Jun 1996 08:10:37 -0400 To: "E - All WRD Employees" From: "Robert M Hirsch, Chief Hydrologist, Reston, VA" (Robert M. Hirsch) Subject: The USGS Strategic Plan Cc: "Gordon P Eaton Reston, VA" , "Bonnie McGregor Reston, VA" , "Barbara J Ryan Reston, VA" , "Robert M Hirsch, Chief Hydrologist, Reston, VA" , "P. Patrick Leahy, Chief Geologist, Reston, VA" , "Richard E Witmer Reston, VA" , "William F Gossman Jr. Reston, VA" , "Linda D Stanley Reston, VA" , "Pamela R Malam Reston, VA" To: All WRD Employees From: Robert M. Hirsch Chief Hydrologist Subject: USGS Strategic Plan The purpose of this message is to share my thoughts with you about the USGS Strategic Plan and its implementation. You should be receiving your copy of the Plan this week. I hope that you will find the time within the next few weeks to read it. We each have an important role to play in its implementation. There are a lot of good ideas in the Plan, but it is you and your colleagues who will make it a reality. Director Eaton, in his letter to you and in a videotape (being provided to each District), explains what the Plan is and the reasons for producing it. I will not repeat the information here, except to say that I completely agree with him, that this is an opportune time for us to plan for the future. The USGS Strategic Plan was developed by a representative group of USGS employees who produced the first draft last December. At that time, the Strategic Planning Team began to actively engage the Policy Council (on which I serve) to debate, modify and improve the Plan. This process caused me and my colleagues in the senior management of the USGS to engage in a very useful exploration of the future of the USGS. Through this process, the Plan has really become a product of the Policy Council, rather than a report to us from a group of employees. The Plan describes multiple ways that the USGS can become a better organization. We do not expect that all of the actions in the Plan will be implemented. Nor do we think that we have defined the universe of good ideas. However, the USGS Strategic Plan is an important first step and we need to get started with its implementation. Actually, there are several things already underway within the Water Resources Division that fit very well within the overall USGS Strategic Plan. For example: * A divisionwide Process Action Team, with input from the WRD Senior Staff, has prepared a plan (which you will see in next few months) to reinvent our reports preparation and review process to speed delivery of our information without sacrificing quality. * We are working more closely with our colleagues in the Geologic Division to incorporate their geologic knowledge into water-resources investigations. * WRD is already on the forefront of using geospatial information and geographic information systems (GIS) technology to improve our understanding of factors affecting water quality. * Through an aggressive use of the Internet we have made dramatic improvements in the delivery of hydrologic data. * This month we are launching an effort called Hydro 21, which is a multi-year effort to improve the methods and equipment we use to collect basic hydrologic data (you will hear more about this in the next few weeks). All of these activities are a very positive start. However, there are many more good ideas in the USGS Strategic Plan that deserve our attention. One of the strengths of the Plan is that every employee has a role to play in its implementation. As you read through it, please think in a broad context about the goals and recommended actions of the USGS Strategic Plan. And, then there are two things I ask of each of you: (1) Identify one or two specific actions that can be implemented by you and your colleagues, working with your immediate supervisors. I realize that you are very busy with your normal workload and that progress on your assigned work is of the utmost importance. What I am asking is that you work with your supervisors to see how you can integrate ideas that come from the Plan into the flow of work in your office. Positive steps, large or small, are very important. I would like to hear about your plans for action (as an individual or as part of a group) and then get an update on your progress about 6 months from now. (2) Let me know which one or two strategic actions the WRD Senior Staff and I should focus on as our highest priorities. Please send your comments to me by e-mail, include your supervisor on the distribution, and put the words "Strategic Plan" in the subject line of your message. Success at implementation of the Plan depends on participation and knowledge at all levels in the organization. Working together at the local, regional, and national level, I am confident that we can take the necessary steps to make a strong organization even stronger. ********************************************************** * Robert M. Hirsch Phone: 703/648-5215 * * Chief Hydrologist Fax: 703/648-5002 * * 409 National Center Internet: rhirsch@usgs.gov * * U.S. Geological Survey * * Reston, VA 22092 * **********************************************************