ASCE Strategy Management

To stay on top of the issues facing civil engineers and the civil engineering profession, and to set priorities for action, ASCE makes use of an ongoing strategy management process--a rolling cycle of scanning the environment for strategic issues, winnowing down and prioritizing the issues on a “radar screen,” determining what the Society wants to accomplish for a few top priority issues, and creating action plans to achieve the outcomes. (Note: "Strategy management" is used in place of "strategic planning" since the latter often implies the creation of a static document perhaps appropriate for a shelf rather than an ongoing driver of actions.)

The goal is to become focused and flexible in identifying and addressing a few top priorities while continuing to provide the ongoing broad range of products, services, and initiatives for the members and the profession.

The ASCE vision, mission, goals, and priority strategies follow, along with additional background and detail on the strategy management process and priorities.

ASCE Vision
Engineers as global leaders building a better quality of life

ASCE Mission
To provide essential value to our members, their careers, our partners, and the public, ASCE will:

• Facilitate the advancement of technology
• Encourage and provide the tools for lifelong learning
• Promote professionalism and the profession
• Develop and support civil engineer leaders
• Advocate infrastructure and environmental stewardship.

ASCE Goals

• Facilitate the advancement of technology to enhance quality, knowledge, competitiveness, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.
• Encourage and provide the tools for lifelong learning to aid our members' continued growth throughout their careers.
• Promote professionalism and the profession throughout society to enhance the stature of civil engineers and to influence public policy.
• Develop and support civil engineer leaders to broaden our members' perspectives, enhance their career growth, and promote the public interest.
• Advocate infrastructure and environmental stewardship to protect the public health and safety and improve the quality of life.

ASCE Priority Strategies

Infrastructure

The issue:

For years the U.S. has neglected its infrastructure, placing the public health and safety at risk and holding back the nation’s economic growth and competitiveness.

The future ASCE wants to see:

The public and its elected and appointed officials understand the role of infrastructure in the nation’s well being and advancement. Policies and funding are in place to enhance the capacity and condition of infrastructure in all its aspects.

How ASCE plans to get there:

Upgrade ASCE’s advocacy at all levels; continue to report on the condition of the nation’s infrastructure; and help civil engineers serve as leaders in proposing practical solutions and funding mechanisms.

 

Competency

The issue:

The current four-year civil engineering degree is not adequate to prepare future civil engineering students to effectively enter professional practice and thereby protect the public health and safety.

The future ASCE wants to see:

The minimum requirements to enter professional civil engineering practice consist of an undergraduate civil engineering degree and an additional 30 credits of course work.

How ASCE plans to get there:

Demonstrate to the profession, private business, and the public the value of increased education for entering civil engineering practice and enact licensure laws in each of the U.S. states and territories to implement the new model.

 

Role of the Civil Engineer

The issue:

The civil engineer’s role as a true professional and leader for public good has been put into question by new roles for paraprofessionals, off-shoring options for delivering services, and hourly, low-bid pricing of services.

The future ASCE wants to see:

Civil engineering services are delivered through a multi-tiered system of professionals and paraprofessionals, led by civil engineers as master integrators, stewards of the environment, innovators and integrators of technology, managers of risk, and shapers of public policy.

How ASCE plans to get there:

Implement a roadmap to achieve what the profession calls “The Vision for Civil Engineering in 2025,” with civil engineers as trusted leaders for continuous advancement of a sustainable built and natural environment.

Sustainability

 

(ASCE is currently developing a priority strategy to address sustainable design for civil engineering infrastructure.)

 

ASCE's Ongoing Strategy Management Process (PDF Format)
Read about the process in more detail (includes a glossary of terms).

ASCE's Strategy Management Documents to Date PDF Format)
Vision
Mission
Goals
Radar Screen of Strategic Issues (Prioritized)
Desired Outcomes for Top-Priority Strategic Issues
Value Propositions