The Roles of Strategic Planning in Performance Improvement in Tanzania ' s Public Organizations

Abstract

Strategic planning was initially used by private organizations to improve theircompetitive advantage in the market and achieve major improvements in efficiency. Itis considered as an essential managerial activity that enables a firm to align itself withanticipated environmental changes. In Tanzania, there has been an increased use ofstrategic planning as it is compulsory for public organizations. However, it is uncertainwhether strategic planning is viable for performance improvement. This paper examinesstrategic planning in Tanzania ' s public organizations. Using the University of Dar esSalaam as a case study, it seeks to attest the extent to which strategic planning is effectivein public organizations. It employs qualitative analysis, and uses documentary reviewand elite interviews as sources of data. The major finding shows that strategic planningcan be feasible in public organizations. However reliable availability of financialresources is the biggest challenge in making strategic plans to work. Basing on the studyfindings, the paper concludes that strategic planning is a viable path to performanceimprovement as it helped the university to improve performance in its core mandate.The paper recommends for disbursement of enough funds, and the university todiversify sources to ensure financial sustainability. Keywords: strategic planning; performance improvement; public organizations; Tanzania;University of Dar es Salaam