http://xml.gov/stratml/drybridge/DOCstratplan.xmlStrategic Plan FY 2007 - FY 2012Department of CommerceDOC_385d89c3-4f0e-4135-b59d-767da1df9bb3A prosperous, productive America that is committed to free trade, competitiveness, and environmental stewardship and continues to play a lead role in the world economy._fe06e3d7-3f90-456a-94c9-1545a69b2c5aThe Department of Commerce creates the conditions for economic growth and opportunity by promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, competitiveness, and stewardship._a9ac3066-5209-4cfd-8e2d-e8c0e7c619a0Competitiveness and Economic GrowthMaximize U.S. competitiveness and enable economic growth for American industries, workers, and consumers_ec29d4d8-ad7f-4ede-b913-383bfde652be1The Department’s first goal is to encourage and support economic expansion and to increase the prosperity of all Americans, regardless of their geographical location or ethnic origin. In support of disadvantaged individuals and communities, the Department promotes private enterprise and job creation in economically distressed communities. The Department also promotes private enterprise within minority communities. The Department is committed to free trade by opening and expanding foreign markets for U.S. goods and services and improving U.S. export performance. The Department devotes significant effort to benefit the American public by increasing market access for U.S. businesses. Nontariff trade barriers frequently impact U.S. firms’ access to markets, examples of these barriers that impede market entry include technical standards, intellectual property issues, excessive regulation, as well as certification and testing requirements. The Department advocates on behalf of U.S. firms to open markets impacted by these types of barriers. The Department promotes U.S. export growth through the development and implementation of the National Export Strategy (NES) produced by the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC)chaired by the Secretary of Commerce. The Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA) has embraced public/private partnerships as a mechanism to leverage federal resources. The Department partners with private sector service providers that can reach—and are trusted by—potential exporters. Current partners, FedEx, eBay, and PNC Bank, have massive client databases and a profit motive to encourage clients to export. ITA services represent value to those clients. These partners feature ITA trade promotion services on their Web sites and in their newsletters. This enables ITA to conduct hundreds of joint outreach events with them and trains their staff on ITA services. The Department also ensures a “level playing field” for U.S. firms by combating predatory trading practices through free market trade negotiations, analysis of international and domestic competitiveness factors, and through case-by-case advocacy. The Department ensures that export controls do not place U.S. firms at a competitive disadvantage in world markets by eliminating outdated controls and streamlining the process for obtaining export licenses for products that remain under export controls. These continual improvements are being made while being mindful of the dual-use nature of some commercial technologies and the national security implications of those technologies. The Department also provides decision makers with valuable statistical information related to the U.S. economy and its population. Sound business forecasting and understanding the strength and direction of the Nation’s economy depend on economic and demographic statistics. The Department leads national efforts to continually improve these statistics. The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) works to develop the methodologies and procedures to incorporate intangibles such as research and development (R&D) into the Nation’s accounts over the next decade. The Census Bureau seeks to fundamentally change the way the federal government conducts the Decennial Census. As part of this effort, the Census Bureau now uses the American Community Survey (ACS) to produce detailed demographic data on an annual basis. This allows the Census Bureau to remove the long form questionnaire from the 2010 Census.Economic Development and ExportsFoster domestic economic development as well as export opportunities_ed6c71db-8017-4a4a-b5c3-408c3d86eded1.1PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES: Strengthen U.S. competitiveness in the global marketplace (ITA). Increase exports to commercially significant markets including FTA countries, China, and India (ITA). Broaden and deepen the U.S. exporter base (ITA). Build community capacity to achieve and sustain economic growth (EDA). Promote private enterprise and job creation in economically distressed communities and regions (EDA). Increase access to the marketplace and financing for minority-owned businesses (MBDA).Growth, Trade, and SecurityAdvance responsible economic growth and trade while protecting American security_6cfabea6-60bf-4f58-b1ad-f79e51f4d55d1.2PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES: Identify and resolve unfair trade practices (ITA). Maintain and strengthen an adaptable and effective U.S. export control and treaty compliance system (BIS). Integrate non-U.S. actors to create a more effective global export control and treaty compliance system (BIS). Ensure continued U.S. technology leadership in industries that are essential to national security (BIS).Economic and Demographic DataAdvance key economic and demographic data that support effective decision-making by policymakers, businesses, and the American public_57e31a44-516d-4a3f-a06b-273e0de3256e1.3PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES: Provide benchmark measures of the U.S. population, economy, and governments (Census). Provide current measures of the U.S. population, economy, and governments (Census). Provide timely, relevant, and accurate economic statistics (BEA).Small ManufacturersPosition small manufacturers to compete in a global economy_ae285a0b-fcef-4418-ac68-04d4431d549c1.4PERFORMANCE OUTCOME: Raise the productivity and competitiveness of small manufacturers (NIST).Innovation and Industrial CompetitivenessPromote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness_7d95fa05-758d-40c6-9907-4b9bca8276ec2The Department’s second strategic goal focuses on providing the infrastructure that will enable U.S. businesses to maintain their technological advantage in world markets. Globalization and recent technology-driven productivity gains provide new challenges. Continued partnership, collaboration, and cooperation between the Department and industry will further promote the Nation’s technological edge. Intellectual property (IP) is a potent force in, and a fundamental component of, the global economy. A recent study shows that 75 percent of the value of publicly traded U.S. companies—some $5 trillion—comes from “intangible” assets such as brands, copyrights, and patents. In recognition of the importance of innovation to the United States’ economic future, a priority area for the Department is to play a key role in the American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI) aimed at keeping the United States strong and secure by ensuring that it continues to lead the world in science and technology (S&T). The Department is committed to working with Congress to successfully pass and implement all of the components of ACI, including making permanent the research and development (R&D) tax credit and improving math and science education. The ACI identified the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as one of three key federal agencies that support basic research programs in the physical sciences and engineering. NIST research laboratories focus on providing the measurements, standards, verified data, and test methods necessary to support the development of new technologies and to promote the competitive standing of the United States in the global economy. The world class scientific and technical staff works closely with private industry, academic researchers, and other government agencies.Measurement Science and StandardsAdvance measurement science and standards that drive technological change_c65ef7f4-d014-4678-99d3-d010e3633dbe2.1PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES: Provide leadership in promoting national technology policies that facilitate U.S. preeminence in key areas of science and technology (TA). Promote innovation, facilitate trade, and ensure public safety and security by strengthening the Nation’s measurement and standards infrastructure (NIST). Increase public access to worldwide scientific and technical information through improved acquisition and dissemination activities (NTIS).Intellectual Property, Patents, and Trade MarksProtect intellectual property and improve the patent and trademark systems_d7df8e98-0b0b-4c3c-9ceb-cdcaa9141c8c2.2PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES: Improve intellectual property (IP) protection and enforcement domestically and abroad (USPTO). Optimize patent quality and timeliness (USPTO). Optimize trademark quality and timeliness (USPTO).E-Commerce, Telecommunications, and Information ServicesAdvance global e-commerce as well as telecommunications and information services_4b5c3da7-5f3e-4f30-8607-efcc605e8fb22.3PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES: Ensure that the allocation of radio spectrum provides the greatest benefit to all people (NTIA). Promote the availability and support new sources of advanced telecommunications (NTIA).Environmental StewardshipPromote environmental stewardship_f8bb0485-5382-4437-90dc-e1afab6a76503he Department’s third strategic goal plays a significant role in the protection of life and property from environmental hazards and the stewardship of U.S. natural resources to ensure that the economic benefits of those resources are available, on a sustainable basis, to the Nation as a whole.Coastal and Ocean ResourcesProtect, restore, and manage the use of coastal and ocean resources_82a7c0cc-0df9-4567-bbed-35a65356a4513.1PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES: Healthy and productive coastal and marine ecosystems that benefit society (NOAA). A well-informed public that acts as a steward of coastal and marine ecosystems (NOAA).Climate Variability and ChangeAdvance understanding of climate variability and change_cf94f591-1e12-472c-b9aa-f10ed8ea06353.2PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES: A predictive understanding of the global climate system on time scales of weeks to decades with quantified uncertainties sufficient for making informed and reasoned decisions (NOAA). Climate-sensitive sectors and the climate-literate public effectively incorporating NOAA’s climate products into its plans and decisions(NOAA).Weather and Water InformationProvide accurate and timely weather and water information_6486d4cb-27b8-44fd-8b65-9ca5e5786f1e3.3PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES: Reduced loss of life, injury, and damage to the economy (NOAA). Better, quicker, and more valuable weather and water information to support improved decisions (NOAA). Increase customer satisfaction with weather and water information and services (NOAA).Commercial NavigationSupport safe, efficient, and environmentally sound commercial navigation_8bd4dfe8-ec06-41a2-aad3-a60591439c973.4PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES: Safe, secure, efficient, and seamless movement of goods and people in the U.S. transportation system (NOAA). Environmentally sound development and use of the U.S. transportation system (NOAA).Organizational and Management ExcellenceAchieve organizational and management excellence_e7c34287-ab04-4ed6-979a-1fe0c2d9967b4The Department’s management integration goal—to achieve organizational and management excellence—is equally important to all bureaus. All Departmental bureaus will seek to achieve more efficient and more effective management by: Acquiring and managing the fiscal and related resources necessary to support program goals; Acquiring, managing, and developing a diverse, skilled, and flexible staff, using information technology (IT) as an essential tool; and Acquiring and managing the technology and related resources to support program goals. The Department is moving aggressively toward meeting the goals of the President’s Management Agenda (PMA). The five governmentwide management improvement initiatives include strategic human capital management, expanding e-government, competitive sourcing, strengthening financial management, and more effectively integrating budget and performance management. PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES: Ensure effective resource stewardship in support of the Department’s programs (DM). Ensure retention of highly qualified staff in mission-critical positions (DM). Acquire and manage the technology resources to support program goals (DM). Promote improvements to Department programs and operations by identifying and completing work that (1) promotes integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness; and (2) prevents and detects fraud, waste, and abuse (OIG).Resource StewardshipEnsure effective resource stewardship in support of the Department’s programs._5f2caaad-8e3d-4849-8631-0e77358407aa4.1The Department must have the capacity to do business with the public and its partner agencies, both as an over $6 billion, worldwide enterprise and, as an integrated set of individual programs. This requires that it identify, adopt, and maintain business practices needed for successful operations; use its resources wisely; and effectively implement the laws that affect it. Because this performance goal inherently encompasses a wide range of administrative and operational tasks, the measures used to assess DM’s progress are by necessity highly diverse.DM is continuing efforts to ensure that these measures are meaningful and reflect particularly significant activities.Staff RetentionEnsure retention of highly qualified staff in mission critical positions._91a5e359-9258-4f71-a80e-8537e88a38744.2There is no issue more critical to the Department’s continued effective functioning than that of current and projected turnover in mission critical positions, and the domino effect it precipitates. Separation projections are high among economists, fish biologists, mathematicians, statisticians, meteorologists, and engineers. By 2007, 71 percent of the Department’s existing Senior Executive Service corps and 39 percent of the senior staff in grades 13 through 15 will become eligible for retirement. Departures from the Department due to retirement represent approximately 21 percent of overall turnover. Transfers to other federal agencies represent approximately 23 percent of separations and resignations comprised another 49 percent. These conditions could produce an unprecedented drain on the Department’s institutional memory and its capacity to provide mature leadership to the next generation of employees.Technology ResourcesAcquire and manage the technology resources to support program goals._1e4e3bca-0545-4be4-aa89-b7d55514fd274.3As American society becomes increasingly oriented toward using electronic means of communication and information dissemination, federal agencies must ensure that they continue to be as responsive as possible to the needs of the public, private sector, other levels of government, and other federal agencies. DM must promote leading-edge technologies, collaboration, and technology transformation across the Department, ensuring alignment with mission requirements, goals and objectives in order to deploy systems able to perform at the highest levels.Program and Operational ImprovementsPromote improvements to Department programs and operations by identifying and completing work that (1) promotes integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness, and (2) prevents and detects fraud, waste, and abuse._cd2d81c0-d65a-4ac3-960e-29b38e5a12f64.4The Department’s diverse mission and critical programs and operations are administered in a dynamic environment–one that is greatly influenced by ever-changing conditions. As the Department works to accomplish its mission, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) provides a unique, independent voice to the Secretary and other senior Department managers, as well as to Congress, in keeping with its mandate to promote integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness and prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse in Department programs and operations. This work is primarily accomplished through audits, inspections, evaluations, and investigations and a variety of activities geared toward averting problems. Moreover, OIG strives to ensure that it: Performs high quality, timely work; Concentrates its efforts on the Department’s most critical programs, operations, challenges, and vulnerabilities; and Achieves results that allow government funds to be put to better use and address criminal, civil, and other wrongdoing.2006-10-012012-09-302010-02-08http://www.osec.doc.gov/bmi/budget/07strplan/DOC07strplan.pdfOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net