Experiences using group support systems to improve strategic planning in the Air Force

Strategic planning is an essential part of establishing the US Air Force's direction. Using a group support system (GSS) for strategic planning is one avenue to make effective use of technology and improve the strategic planning process. This research implements a GSS as a facilitation tool to improve the strategic planning process at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho with the support of the 366th Wing. The project focused on learning multiple lessons when a GSS augmented the current strategic planning process. Implementation of a GSS on the strategic planning process was expected to: (1) improve the quality of the strategic plan, (2) reduce time to completion, (3) increase satisfaction with the process, and (4) increase commitment to the strategic plans developed. Overall, however, although computer-supported strategic planning improved the quality of the strategic plans, reduced the time to completion and increased satisfaction with the process, there was not a statistically significant increase in the level of commitment to implementation.