Strategic Plan: Usareur Band

Strategic Plan: USAREUR Band

MBA580

University of Phoenix

USAREUR Band Strategic Plan

Table of Contents

1. Executive Summary

2. Organizational Background

3. Vision Statement

4. Mission Statement

5. Organizational Values

6. Long Term Objectives

7. Environmental Analysis

a. External Environment

b. Internal Environment

8. Strategic Analysis and Choice

9. Goal Plans and Implementation

10. Financial Projections and Analysis

11. Critical Success Factors

12. Controls and Evaluation

Executive Summary

The US Army Europe Band is on the verge of creating lasting change that will enable the organization to add value to the Army’s mission in Europe. This change will likely come in several forms. Firstly, the Army bands program is in desperate need of an organizational update. This will happen when bands throughout the Army become more agile and less cumbersome. The process of change has already begun, but there is resistance throughout the Army and throughout the USAREUR Band. Development of a strategic plan that will help the band transition to team-based action is crucial for the continued relevance of the unit in Europe. A second source of change will stem from the fact that the band needs younger audiences to remain viable. To reach this audience, the band will need to organize new popular music ensembles geared towards performing popular music. This will be the beginning of an action that will spread throughout the Army bands. Lastly, change will occur internally at the band. Communication must be updated to ensure support teams can function at their peak capability.

To implement these changes, the band faces many obstacles. Financial support that stems from the US government needs to continue and grow. The band needs to make its case to higher headquarters by expanding its market reach in both the military and civilian sectors. In a world where terrorism and global gas prices drive our defense spending budget, it is important to understand the external environmental factors that affect the unit. It will be crucial for the unit to develop action plans that take these threats and obstacles into account. The band will also need to leverage its internal strengths in order to take advantage of opportunities. A detailed analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats will allow the band to create a strategy that makes sense and adds value to the organization, as well as the military and the local community.

The development of goals and long term objectives will ultimately lead to the crafting of a cohesive action plan. The implementation of the strategy must be continually assessed to ensure relevance to the unit’s current situation. Finally, the band will need to check its strategy over the next few years to ensure it is in line with the Army’s overall mission in Europe.

Organizational Background

The United States Army Europe Band and Chorus (UB) is one of the Army’s oldest musical units, activating in 1940 (USAREUR, 2008). The organization consists of roughly 100 soldier-musicians that perform over 200 engagements per year throughout Europe and Africa. While performing for and supporting the military and their families is the unit’s priority, the band and chorus also serve as the United States’ musical ambassador’s in Europe and help to create bonds of friendship and camaraderie that further the Army’s greater strategic goals.

Apart from making music and performing for thousands of military members, their families, and civilians, the band and chorus are responsible for every aspect of the organization. Given an annual budget derived from the congressional military defense budget, the unit is in charge of its own administration, planning, spending, training, operations, public affairs, security, transportation, IT, and maintenance. All of this is accomplished while simultaneously preparing and executing hundreds of musical events each year.

Current personnel numbers in the band will change dramatically over the next few years to reflect shifting strategy throughout Army