Agency Program Review and Strategic Planning

The Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) is available to conduct reviews of wildlife and natural resource agency programs and functions. At the request of agencies, WMI has successfully completed over 70 reviews of fish and wildlife programs in more than 40 states and 4 provinces. WMI has also compiled and published national summaries of the organization, authority and programs of state fish and wildlife agencies in 1948, 1968, 1977, 1987 and 1997

In March of 2019, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency contracted with Wildlife Management Institute to assist the Wildlife and Forestry Division in the development of a strategic plan; a review and evaluation of the organizational structure, assistance with re-aligning the budget in relationship to the strategic plan and organizational review products, and the development of a comprehensive training strategy for staff. The WMI process included the use of a RASCI matrix, a responsibility assignment matrix that takes into account all the roles involved and makes it clear what roles and people are involved and in which way.

In 2019, the South Dakota Office of the Governor contracted with WMI to conduct a review of the Animal Damage Control Program conducted by the Wildlife Division of the Department of Game, Fish and Parks. WMI completed the review by conducting personal interviews with individuals identified by the Governor's Office, current and former Commissioners, current and former Department staff, and circulating an on-line survey. WMI's review was designed to identify the strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvement for the South Dakota Animal Damage Control program. Our goal was to provide valuable information that will improve the management program and to assist the Department in its role as public steward of the wildlife resources that grace South Dakota.

The costs for each strategic planning effort vary and depend upon the nature and extent of the review. WMI works closely with each agency in developing appropriate objectives and parameters for the work. WMI guarantees confidentiality and releases review information only to the contracting agency.