In 2008, the City of Durham identified a need for the development of a strategic plan to set direction for the future of the city and guide decision-making.  Knowing the “destination” or vision for a community is merely one required element for a city’s success; another is having a “roadmap” or a strategic plan that helps get you there.  The resulting innovative plan translates the community’s vision and City Council’s goals into actions by the organization, enabling the organization to better serve the community.

The plan outlines the goals, objectives, outcomes measures and initiatives the organization will focus on over the next two to three years.  By looking ahead and asking its customers, both internal and external, what they need, Durham established a vision for what level of service it will provide, along with an understanding of what resources will be necessary to provide them.

The plan is prioritized around key initiatives that the City Manager and City Council have outlined for the community, with input from key stakeholders. Since the community, the economy and the organization are continually changing, this plan should be considered as a beginning, rather than an end.  Providing the community with access to not only the direction of the City but how it measure success is an essential element of the plan.