Strategic Planning and Policy Development Flashcards
6 cards from real CPRP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Strategic Planning and Policy Development flashcards as text
What does a SWOT analysis assess in the context of parks and recreation strategic planning?
Answer: Internal Strengths and Weaknesses alongside external Opportunities and Threats
SWOT analysis is a structured strategic planning tool that evaluates an organization's internal Strengths and Weaknesses alongside external Opportunities and Threats, providing the foundation for informed strategic decision-making.
A parks agency's mission statement serves which PRIMARY purpose?
Answer: Defining the agency's fundamental purpose and the core value it provides to the community
A mission statement articulates WHY the organization exists — its core purpose, the community it serves, and the value it delivers. It guides all strategic decisions and helps stakeholders understand what the agency stands for.
Which planning document typically provides a long-range (10–20 year) vision for a community's entire park system, including land acquisition priorities, facility development, and programming direction?
Answer: Parks and Recreation Comprehensive (Master) Plan
A Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan (Master Plan) is the long-range policy document that assesses existing resources, projects future community needs, and sets strategic priorities for land acquisition, capital development, and service delivery over a 10–20 year horizon.
In strategic planning, what is a Key Performance Indicator (KPI)?
Answer: A measurable value that demonstrates how effectively the agency is achieving a strategic objective
KPIs are quantifiable metrics that let an agency track progress toward strategic goals — examples include program participation rates, facility utilization percentages, resident satisfaction scores, or cost recovery ratios.
A parks and recreation commission is developing new policies on park use rules. Which principle should PRIMARILY guide the policy development process?
Answer: Policies should be grounded in current community needs, legal requirements, and alignment with the agency's mission
Sound public policy is built on three pillars: responsiveness to current community needs, compliance with applicable laws, and alignment with the agency's strategic mission — benchmarking peers or defaulting to tradition are insufficient grounds alone.
In a typical parks and recreation governance structure, what is the PRIMARY role of the elected or appointed parks board or commission?
Answer: Setting policy direction and approving major decisions while professional staff handle day-to-day operations
Boards and commissions exercise governance authority — establishing policy, setting strategic direction, and approving major expenditures — while the professional director and staff manage day-to-day operations. This separation between governance and management is a foundational principle of public administration.