Archives Unsealed: NARA Unveils Previously Hidden Documents
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Outlines Strategic Plans for Sustainability and Transparency
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has outlined several strategic plans aimed at enhancing its operations, sustainability, and transparency. These plans encompass a wide range of areas, from climate action to financial reporting, and are designed to make NARA's operations more resilient, efficient, and accessible.
Strategic Planning
The process of strategic planning at NARA involves several key steps. Goal setting, stakeholder engagement, resource allocation, and action plan development are all integral parts of this process. The aim is to identify key objectives, gather insights and feedback from stakeholders, determine necessary resources, and create specific action plans for each strategic objective.
Performance Budgets and Annual Performance Plans
NARA also develops budgets that align with strategic objectives and performance metrics. Clear metrics are established to measure performance and progress, and budgets are regularly reviewed and revised based on performance data. Annual plans are created outlining specific performance goals and objectives for the year, and progress is monitored regularly. Annual reports are prepared summarising achievements and challenges.
Capital Planning
Capital planning at NARA involves a comprehensive assessment of current assets and infrastructure, identification of areas requiring investment or upgrade, and the development of a capital budget and timeline for projects.
Action Plans for Customer Experience
NARA is committed to enhancing customer experience. This involves gathering feedback from users to identify areas for improvement, creating strategies to enhance customer experience based on feedback, and developing a step-by-step plan for implementing these strategies.
Open Government Plans
NARA's open government plans aim to increase transparency and public participation in its programs. These plans are developed in collaboration with stakeholders to ensure they align with open government principles, and are executed to enhance openness and engagement.
Agency Financial Reports
NARA prepares comprehensive financial reports annually, detailing expenditures and revenues. These reports are prepared for internal use and public disclosure, and include an analysis of financial performance and recommendations for future improvements.
Information Resources Management Plans
NARA evaluates existing information systems and technologies, identifies gaps or areas for improvement in information management, and creates plans to enhance information resources management, including technology upgrades and training.
Other Key Plans and Reports
Several other plans and reports are crucial to NARA's operations. These include the Climate Action Plan, which details ongoing assessments of climate threats and actions to make operations more resilient; the Sustainability Plan, which outlines NARA's commitment to lowering greenhouse gas emissions and becoming better stewards of the environment; the Trust Fund Board Annual Report, which describes the annual programs, activities, products, and financial details of the Fund; and the Quarterly Report of Withdrawals of Previously Declassified Records, which provides information about formally withdrawn records in accordance with the "Interim Guidelines Governing Re-review of Previously Declassified Records at the National Archives."
In addition, NARA's Strategic Plan outlines the agency's future direction and is used to align priorities and allocate resources. The Performance Plan links strategic goals to annual accomplishments and is reviewed annually. The Performance Budget is submitted to Congress annually and includes a budget justification, performance plan, and tables.
NARA's commitment to transparency is further demonstrated through reports such as the Annual Employee Survey Results, the Federal Activities Inventory Review (FAIR) Act Report, and the Plain Language Compliance Report. These reports provide information about NARA's internal processes, purchases, non-essential travel, and efforts to promote the goals of the Plain Writing Act.
In conclusion, NARA's strategic planning process is comprehensive and multifaceted. It involves engaging with government regulators, stakeholders, and the public to ensure alignment with NARA's mission and the needs of its constituents. By implementing these plans, NARA aims to provide access to records anywhere, anytime, and to enhance the sustainability, efficiency, and transparency of its operations.
- The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) incorporates policy-and-legislation and politics into its strategic planning process by engaging with government regulators, stakeholders, and the public to ensure alignment with its mission and the needs of its constituents.
- NARA's open government plans, designed to increase transparency and public participation, fall under the general-news category, as they provide information about internal processes, purchases, and non-essential travel, aligning with the agency's commitment to openness and engagement.
