Client : The Computer Information Systems (CIS) Department of the College of Business Administration, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Dr. Steven S. Curl, Chair)

The Association for Strategic Planning (ASP) conducts an annual competition for excellence in strategic planning that is open to corporations, nonprofit and public-sector organizations, and small businesses. Richard A. Goodman, Professor of Technology and Strategy at the Anderson School of Management, UCLA and board member of the Association for Strategic Planning (ASP), chaired the panel that evaluated the applicants in this year’s competition. The 2003 Award Winner was announced at the Association’s annual conference on Tuesday, October 14, 2003, and presented with the award (see photo).

Speaking on behalf of the panel, Dr. Goodman made the following remarks about the winner, in effect explaining why the panel judged its process to be exemplary:

“First of all, the [winner’s] process was not only extensive in participation, but also was such that all members arrived at the same page. The range of options were explored well enough that the choice of strategy made sense to all and could be articulated by each. Thus, the process helped the implementation immeasurably. Trends in the external environment, [such as] in economics, technology, and competition, were well explored. Both published sources and personal sources from different external constituencies and well as different customer constituencies were well tapped. The organization also made use of formal survey information. Internal strengths were also well represented in the process by the all-inclusive nature of the process. Alternative strategic formulations were formally proposed and then explored. Strategic bundles were developed to describe the alternatives. Some alternatives were easily eliminated but the competition between others was high. Here the process was further developed by the creation of alternative scenarios and the creation of scenario champions. We were impressed with the organization’s ability to add features to its fundamental process and thus drive the process to a fruitful conclusion.”

Dr. Abraham designed the process adopted by the organization, facilitated the retreat and some of the subsequent meetings, and insisted that the final strategy be fully supported by the entire group and committed to until fully implemented. Implementation is already underway. He also helped in writing the winning proposal.

Dr. Goodman sadly passed away in 2004. The annual award has since been renamed the Richard A. Goodman Strategy Award.

Dr. Steve Curl, Chair, CIS Dept., holding the award, with Dr. Stan Abraham
of Future By Design, strategic-planning consultant