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1. What is strategic planning?

A strategic plan helps an organization to focus its energy, to ensure employees are working towards the same goals and enables an organization to effectively manage its resources. A strategic plan ensures a consistent focus for decision-making and performance (of individuals and departments).

2. Why is strategic planning important?

Chester County’s strategic plan makes clear what the County does, how well it does it, what it costs, and the benefit Chester County citizens receive. It helps the Commissioners, and all County departments, to prioritize their efforts, maximizing the services provided, at the most efficient cost.

Strategic planning offers the opportunity to:

• Review and realign the focus and direction of an organization,
• Provide a road map for achieving that direction,
• Identify how resources should be allocated,
• Engage and energize all members of the organization. For Chester County, this relates to the Commissioners, department heads, all employees, and Chester County citizens.

3. What is Managing for Results (MFR)?

Managing for Results is a comprehensive and integrated performance management system that focuses on achieving results for the customer which makes it possible for departments to demonstrate accountability to the taxpayers.

4. Where can I find the overall priorities, goals, and key performance measures?

The County's Priorities and Goals, along with detailed department strategic plans and results data, are  published annually in the County's Annual Approved Budget. Printable version of the Strategic Plan Priorities, Goals, and Key Measures. More information at Strategic Plan / Managing for Results.

5. How did the Commissioners come up with the goals?

The goals adopted by the Commissioners were developed using valuable input from various sources, including:

• Responses from over 1,200 county residents who responded to the 2018 county-wide Quality of Life survey,
• Consultation with County department heads, key staff, and subject matter experts, and review of suggestions offered by community leaders who participated in facilitated discussion groups held during 2018,
• Review of community input received as part of the work on Landscapes3 (the County's Comprehensive Plan), Vista 2025 (the County's Economic Development Plan), and Roadmap to Health (the County's Community Health Improvement Plan).