[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 2, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 15740-15741] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-8270] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- POSTAL SERVICE Request for Comments on Development of Strategic Plan for U.S. Postal Service, Pursuant to the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 AGENCY: Postal Service. ACTION: Request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 requires that the Postal Service and Federal agencies set strategic goals, measure performance, and report on results. It requires development, no later than by the end of fiscal year 1997, of a five-year strategic plan, to include the organization's mission statement, identify its long-term strategic goals, and describe how it intends to achieve its goals. The Act also requires that in developing its Strategic Plan, the Postal Service shall solicit and consider the ideas of those potentially affected by or interested in the Strategic Plan. This notice therefore asks for public comment concerning development of the Postal Service's Strategic Plan for the years 1998-2002. DATES: Comments must be received by June 1, 1997. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be directed to Robert A.F. Reisner, Vice President, Strategic Planning, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, DC 20260-1520. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jon L. Cook, (202) 268-4099. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Statutory Background The Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, Public Law 103- 62, (GPRA) was enacted to make Federal programs more effective and publicly accountable by targeting results, service quality, and customer satisfaction. Other statutory goals were to improve Congressional decisionmaking and to improve internal management of the Federal Government. Public Law 103-62, section 2(b), 107 Stat 285. Because of the Postal Service's role as an independent establishment of the Executive Branch of the Government of the United States, section 7 of the law establishes separate provisions which apply to the Postal Service (sections 2801-2805 of title 39, United States Code). Section 2802 of title 39, United States Code, requires that the Postal Service submit to the President and the Congress a strategic plan for its program activities, no later than September 30, 1997. The plan is to contain: (1) a comprehensive mission statement covering the major functions and operations of the Postal Service; (2) general goals and objectives, including outcome-related goals and objectives, for the major functions and operations of the Postal Service; (3) a description of how the goals and objectives are to be achieved, including a description of the operational processes, skills and technology, and the human, capital, information, and other resources required to meet those goals and objectives; (4) a description of how the performance goals included in the plan required under section 2803 shall be related to the general goals and objectives in the strategic plan; (5) an identification of those key factors external to the Postal Service and beyond its control that could significantly affect the achievement of the general goals and objectives; and (6) a description of the program evaluations used in establishing or revising general goals and objectives, with a schedule for future program evaluations. 39 U.S.C. 2802(a). The GPRA also requires the preparation of annual performance plans covering each program activity set forth in the Postal Service budget. 39 U.S.C. 2803. These plans are to link the strategic goals in the Strategic Plan with ongoing operations. In addition, the law requires preparation of program performance reports, to review and compare performance with performance goals in the annual performance plan. 39 U.S.C. 2804. In order to involve the public in the process, GPRA requires that, as it develops its strategic plan, the Postal Service ``shall solicit and consider the views and suggestions of those entities potentially affected by or interested in such a plan, and shall advise the Congress of the contents of the plan.'' 39 U.S.C. 2802(d). Discussion of the Postal Service Mission and its Strategic Planning Process In 1970, the Congress enacted the Postal Reorganization Act, recasting the former Post Office Department as the United States Postal Service. Its intent was that the former department evolve into a Federal entity that operates more [[Page 15741]] like a business. While fulfilling its basic mission of providing universal service at a uniform price, the Postal Service would focus more clearly on the needs of all of its customers. * * *The Postal Service shall have as its basic function the obligation to provide postal services to bind the Nation together through the personal, educational, literary and business correspondence of the people. It shall provide prompt, reliable, and efficient services to patrons in all areas and shall render postal services to all communities. 39 U.S.C. 101(a). To carry out this mission of the United States Postal Service as described in section 101 of title 39, United States Code, the organic statute, a statement of mission was adopted in recent years: To provide every household and business across the United States with the ability to communicate and conduct business with each other and the world through prompt, reliable, secure and economic services for the collection, transportation and delivery of messages and merchandise. A statement of vision was also developed at the same time and reads as follows: Our postal products will be recognized as the best value in America. We will evolve into a provider of 21st century postal communications. We will be the most effective and productive service in the Federal Government and markets that we serve. The Postal Service seeks comment on this interpretation of mission and vision. In addition, the Postal Service seeks comment on the management goals discussed below. With its mandate to operate in a business-like manner, the Postal Service developed a 5-year Strategic Planning Process in the 1980's. The Postal Service also has been systematically reviewing performance and reforming processes. Since 1994, when the Postal Service applied the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award criteria to create a management system that is called CustomerPerfect!, the Postal Service has invested in a systematic revision of its management system, that is currently using process management tools to reform processes throughout the Service. The CustomerPerfect! process is designed to provide structure and discipline to achieve better results for postal customers. The CustomerPerfect! management cycle has four distinct phases which can be described as: Establish, Deploy, Implement and Review. The ``Establish'' phase involves setting organizational direction, determining long and near-term goals, and making decisions about how to measure progress. The output is a set of broad goals and subgoals for a five-year period, as well as a process prioritizing specific subgoals, targets, and indicators for the coming year. The ``Deploy'' phase involves communicating goals to the organization, to seek individual unit contributions to the achievement of targets. The ``Implementation'' phase requires specific, measurable targets for improvement. The ``Review'' phase involves a periodic check on the system and its performance, whose primary value is learning what will help improve future results. Therefore, to comply with the requirements of GPRA to solicit and consider the views and suggestions of those entities potentially affected by or interested in such a plan, and to benefit from such guidance in the preparation of its strategic direction, the Postal Service is hereby requesting public comment on development of its Strategic Plan for the years 1998-2002. Comments are requested in particular concerning the Postal Service's priorities in sustaining and enhancing a viable twenty-first century Postal Service, as reflected in the following goals developed as part of the CustomerPerfect! process: (1) Improve customer satisfaction by offering superior customer value in each market and customer segment; (2) Improve employee and organizational effectiveness by having the right people in the right place with the right tools at the right time to consistently provide superior customer value and ensure commercial viability in a dynamic environment; (3) Improve financial performance to assure our commercial viability as a service provider for the worldwide movement of messages, merchandise, and money. Any comments pertaining to how the Postal Service can best achieve these goals, or on other aspects of strategic planning, goals or performance measurement will be appreciated. Stanley F. Mires, Chief Counsel, Legislative. [FR Doc. 97-8270 Filed 3-1-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710-12-P