Purpose
Within the framework of the Emiri Decree that established GSDP, this project aims to promote a culture and values within GSDP that focuses organizational resources and energies on results and outcomes and that invests in building capabilities and knowledge assets that can best serve the interests of the State.
Approach
The approach to the formulation of the Enterprise Strategy Plan is fully participatory and involves extensive consultations within GSDP and with external stakeholders and partners. The Project is being implemented by the GSDP’s Directors' Group and guided by GSDP’s leadership. External knowledge and international experience is brought to the project through a Senior Advisor who advises and interacts with the Directors' Group.
Main Outputs
- An Enterprise Strategy Plan document that will crystallize GSDP’s Vision, articulate its Mission and identify its role, goals and functions.
- Processes to support delivery of enhanced advisory and knowledge services.
- Performance improvement, learning and monitoring systems for GSDP.
- Departmental strategies and work plans.
Expected Outcome
Enhanced capabilities and convening powers of GSDP and improved capacity to deliver relevant and responsive policy and analytical advisory services, linked to Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy.
Major Activities
Work on the Enterprise Strategy Plan began in September 2008. To date, the following steps and associated outputs have been undertaken:
September 08: The Directors’ Group engagement of the services of a Senior Advisor to assist in the Enterprise Strategy Process (ESP), but with the clear and stated intent of retaining ownership and hands-on involvement in the process and in the preparation of related key outputs.
September 08-November 08: Extensive internal and external consultations on GSDP’s new mandate and role.
October 08: Based on early consultations and supported by subsequent follow up discussions, preparation of: (1) a comprehensive framework paper outlining the rationale, key steps, and suggested outputs of a GSDP Enterprise Strategy Process; and (2) a detailed Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Challenges analysis identifying key internal and external issues.
November 08: A Management Retreat followed during which the ESP framework and preliminary findings of the SWOC analysis were thoroughly reviewed, with all preparatory materials being subsequently shared with GSDP staff. The Management Retreat facilitated: (1) review and endorsement of the overall framework for the GSDP Enterprise Strategy Process and the identification of its proposed key outputs; (2) discussion of the results of the SWOC analysis—including identification of selected internal and external gaps and consideration of their implications; (3) identification of central elements of GSDP’s new Mission and Core Functions; and (4) creation of a common understanding and shared “strategy culture” among management.
December 08: The Management Retreat was followed by an invitation to departments to formulate mission statements for GSDP and statements were subsequently prepared.
January 09: Preliminary formulations of a mission statement and core strategic functions were endorsed by the Directors’ Group and submitted to GSDP Leadership for review and guidance.
February 09: Following an NDS retreat, coordinated by the Social Development Department (SDD), and facilitated by Mr. George Abonyi, Economic Development Department (EDD) began to link the challenges of managing the NDS process with the Enterprise Plan.
February 09: A preliminary outline of the Enterprise Strategy document was prepared and endorsed by the Directors’ Group.
February 09: Leadership direction leads to formulation of a revised Mission Statement that also identified the means to achieving GSDP’s mission and the institutions’ broad values.
April 09: Core Strategic Functions were reformulated and agreed on a preliminary basis by GSDP Leadership.
May 09: Following further consultations as part of the Enterprise Strategy Process, a decision was taken by GSDP Management to hold an organization-wide retreat on the ESP, with particular emphasis on the related challenges of internal communications. For more information on the first Staff Retreat on ESP, click on this link.
The development of new processes to support implementation of the Enterprise Strategy Plan will continue through 2010. These will include conduct of capacity building workshops, preparation of strategic commuincations plan, development of departmental strategies aligned to the corporate plan and work plans and development of performance indicators.
Monitoring and evaluation processes will also be established.
A review and interim evaluation of the Enterprise Strategy Plan and associated processes is scheduled for 2011.
Contact
Frank Harrigan, Director
Economic Development Department
fharrigan@gsdp.gov.qa
