Public Administration ETDs

Publication Date

4-25-1972

Abstract

This thesis specifically addresses the questions "Are there measurable benefits of long-range planning at Air Force Test Centers?" This question is raised because of the many major unpredictable factors, such as manpower and budget reductions, which change the centers' posture, and in light of the fact that resources are actually acquired through channels other than the long-range planning process. The hypothesis his thesis tests is that the primary value of long-range planning to the test centers is in the planning process itself, not in the document that is produced. The approach used in this thesis is to first build, through a literature search, a theoretical model of the long-range planning process and of the benefits that should be derived, if that process is followed. Next, the theoretical planning process is compared to the actual planning process employed by the test centers, to determine any differences. A questionnaire survey is used to determine the actual benefits of long-range planning at Air Force Test Centers. A total of 202 questionnaires were sent to ten different Air Force agencies, including test centers, customers of the test centers, and Headquarters, Air Force Systems Command: 129 (64 per cent) replies were received. The questionnaire sent to the two test centers surveyed in depth (the Air Force Special Weapons Center and the Air Force Flight Test Center) also contained questions designed to measure the relative value of the planning process employed, vs. the document that is produced. Of the replies from the two centers surveyed in depth, 89 per cent stated the planning process was of great or some value; 77 per cent said the planning documents were of great or some value. The primary benefits of long-range planning to the two test centers surveyed in depth in their order of importance are; it is a vehicle for communications, a basis for resource allocation, a basis for future action, a vehicle for coordination of goals and decisions, and vehicle for establishing goals and making decisions. The percentage of positive responses from the two test centers for these five benefits ranged from 87 per cent for communications to 48 per cent for establishing goals and making decisions. A sixth benefit postulated, that the plans are a basis for new work, received a positive response of only 22 per cent, and is not considered significant. The primary benefit to other organizations surveyed is one of communications. Sixty per cent of the replies from Headquarters, Air Force Systems Command, and 47 per cent of the replies from customer organizations mentioned at least one communications benefit. The conclusions of this thesis are that the process of preparing the Five-Year Center Plans is of more value to the centers, than is the document itself, however, the document is also of significant value to the test centers, as well as to the customer organizations and Headquarters, Air Force Systems Command. The thesis clearly shows that there are measurable benefits of long-range planning at Air Force Test Centers.

Degree Name

Public Administration

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

School of Public Administration

First Committee Member (Chair)

Illegible

Second Committee Member

John Mace Hunger

Third Committee Member

Nicholas Llewellyn Henry

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

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