Any organization needs the means—tangible and intangible resources—to provide services and functions, meet its mission and realize its vision. Capacities that relate directly to services and functions to consider and characterize in a strategy document include:
- Staffing/expertise: Analyze how much effort and the types of expertise that will be needed for the services and functions to be provided. Needed expertise may include a more pronounced communications competency.
- Infrastructure: What physical space, equipment or organizational support is needed to support the program?
- Technology: Software and other information technology and support are primary capacity needs today and into the future.
- Funding: If tied directly to a formal strategy, the budget needed to carry out the program as described may be more compelling or secure.
Other needs relate to the program as a whole:
- Governance: Articulating how a program is run may seem unnecessary but can provide clarity (and ultimately support) for program staff and agency leadership. What other programs should be involved in suggesting or directing operations? Would a steering committee be helpful?
- Image: Some state DOT librarians and information services providers may struggle to make their presence and value known. An intentional description of the brand or image a library or information center wants to project can provide the basis for more effective outreach and marketing.
