Strategic Planning

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Assisting organizations with their strategic planning is an area in which Osprey brings direction, clarity and speed to the planning process. Osprey fosters valuable discussion of delicate topics, understanding of strategic context or questioning of underlying assumptions, thus allowing organizations to truly focus on their strategic choices for the future.

Regional Transportation District:

Osprey worked with the RTD Board of Directors in several retreat settings. Initially Osprey helped the elected Board determine how it could work more effectively together; this discussion led to the unanimous acceptance of the "RTD Board Operating Principles" that Osprey drafted. Another retreat focused on the challenging budget paradox that many transit agencies are facing with rising fuel costs and increased ridership, but declining revenues. Osprey continues to work with the Board and executive leadership on a range of issues.

Office of the State Auditor:

In Colorado, the Office of the State Auditor conducts financial and performance audits of numerous public entities that receive state funds. It also reviews audits of local entities conducted by others and reports directly to the Legislative Audit Committee. Osprey was hired to design and facilitate the development of a strategic plan for the Office, working with a diverse group of Office employees over a four-month period.

Thornton Business Advisory Task Force:

The Thornton City Council recognizes the key role businesses play in contributing to the City's economy, its employment and other City goals. Council was interested in hearing from the business community about the challenges of doing business in Thornton. It created a Business Advisory Task Force to discuss a range of issues and Osprey designed and facilitated the Task Force process. After two months of weekly meetings the Task Force recommended action steps to promote healthy partnerships, minimize obstacles to succeeding as a business in the community, and improve the local economy. The Council unanimously accepted the recommendations including the creation of a permanent business advisory commission.

Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks:

Osprey worked with the City of Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Parks Department to determine the agency's fundamental priorities. Osprey worked with a staff "core working group" that created nine Legacy Programs, which combined high-priority actions from a community perspective, the Department's comprehensive stewardship responsibilities, the balance of recreation and preservation needs, and the desire to listen to and communicate with the community to reduce visitor conflicts. The Department specified the resources, responsibilities and milestones necessary to make significant strides in each of the Legacy Programs over the next five years. The Department is currently using these priorities in making staffing, budgetary and workload decisions.

Boulder Philharmonic:

Strategic planning can take many forms. Working for the Boulder Philharmonic, which was at a challenging crossroads in its 50-year history, Osprey helped the Board and senior staff craft a strategic plan over a weekend. After two long and intense days, the Boulder Phil emerged with three high-level strategic objectives, accompanying concrete and measurable goals, and an implementation plan for the next three years.

Vulcan Materials Company:

Informed by our report based on executive interviews and an on-line survey, Osprey facilitated a meeting of about 90 Vulcan Materials employees. These people, from Safety, Health, Environment and Operations, produced draft strategic directions and action steps for senior management. The proposals were embraced by employees from operations as well as those with specific Safety, Health and Environment responsibilities.

28th Street Arts Plan:

Osprey facilitated a task force that developed the Arts Plan for 28th Street in Boulder, Colorado. This Arts Plan, the first in the city's history, complements the pioneering work done on transportation issues by the 28th Street Design Committee. It establishes the process by which public art will be designed and installed in the four-mile corridor. Considerable public art has been installed over several years.

E-Star:

Osprey facilitated a series of sessions leading to analysis and recommendations about how to improve energy efficiency in Colorado commercial buildings. Osprey organized and facilitated the meetings as well as the structuring and drafting of the report which was acceptable to a diverse group involved in building, managing and regulating activities in Colorado's commercial building sector.

Boulder Cultural Master Plan:

Osprey organized and facilitated the work of a 13-person Steering Committee to develop the Arts and Cultural Master Plan for the City of Boulder.

USGS/NBS Workshops:

Working with the Keystone Center, John Huyler directed a national-level workshops to identify new interdisciplinary scientific opportunities stemming from the Congressionally- mandated merger of the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Biological Service. The workshops involved representatives of the agencies, academia and users of the agencies� products. Workshop findings were provided to, and utilized by, the DOI Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, the USGS and NBS directors, and the USGS/NBS Consolidation Steering Team in their consolidation efforts.

In addition, goal setting or strategic planning sessions have been conducted for:

• The Aspen Valley Improvement Association
• The 2006 Bicycle Leadership Conference
• The Board of Trustees of the Berger Foundation
• The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art
• The City of Boulder Arts Commission
• The City of Boulder Parking Services Section
• Collage Children's Museum
• The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
• Law firm of Conover, McClearn and Heppenstall
• The Denver City Council and Mayor�s Office
• The City of Denver Department of Parks and Recreation
• The Denver Museum of Natural History
• Design Workshop
• The Geological Society of America
• The City Council of the City of Glendale, Colorado
• Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO)
• Human Services, Inc.
• The Board of Directors of the I Have A Dream Foundation of Boulder County
• The Indiana Department of Environmental Management
• The City of Lakewood
• The Nature Conservancy (Western Regional Office,Colorado Field Office and Great Basin Field Office)
• The North West Council of Governments
• The Outdoor Industry Association (formerly The Outdoor Recreation Coalition of America) (1995, 1996, 1998)
• The Public Education Coalition
• The Rocky Flats Management Association
• The Rocky Flats Professional Forum
• Summit Companies, Inc.
• The Town of Telluride Town Council
• The Trust for Public Land (Southwestern Regional Office)
• Vulcan Materials Company