Buried down in that long twisting and turning thread the started as "Cumbres & Toltec" Randall Hess posted the following:
"I am more concerned about "strategic planning" than about anything else at CATS. I have been involved in several strategic plans, and each one has started off with clearly determining mission and then going from there. CATS has done some planning with respect to buildings, but I have never seen the earlier steps, namely determining what is the purpose of this organization and what goals and objectives will assist in fulfilling that mission. If there were clear and public statements addressing those issues, then the rest of this discussion could have a better focus. If CATS were to obtain professional services, I believe they should start at planning, because a marketing plan makes more sense if you know what you are trying to achieve."
This is a subject that interests me, so thought it might deserve its own thread, recognizing that the problems of the world don't really get solved on the internet. But it's fun talking about them.
Just thought this might be a good spot to point folks to the
Friends Strategic Plan Summary posted on their web site. It not necessarily easy to find and probably ought to be given a bit more prominence, since strategic plans are important.
But it is also worth noting that there is an organizational issue that is still evolving. Only the Commission can do a strategic plan that encompasses the whole railroad. And while the Friends presumably could "market" the museum, marketing the tourist railroad really falls in the hands of the Commission and the Operator. I doubt that an effective mechanism exists yet to do that kind of integrated planning. But I am modestly hopefull that with the "new" Commission something is more likely to happen than in the past.
I'd also throw in a bit of my own philosophy about planning. One, good people are far more important than a good plan. Two, a poor plan well excuted is far better than a good plan poorly executed. And finally any planning is better than no planning.
JBW
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/15/2007 07:28PM by John West.
