Viewing page 158 of 160

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

-105-

the fall of 1989, each Smithsonian organization undertook a two-part situation analysis. In the first phase of this exercise, individual bureaus and offices identified significant external facts that each anticipated would affect their operations during the planning period. Each also undertook a brief self-assessment to profile key internal operating strengths that represent opportunities for further advancement and key weaknesses in need of attention.

Following the completion of these situation analyses and before bureaus/offices proceeded to prepare their operating plans, each Assistant Secretary and the Treasurer conducted roundtable discussions in November - December 1989 involving all of his/her respective bureau/office directors. The purpose of these roundtable discussions was to share the results of each organization situation analysis prior to submitting the final plan, to consider the opportunities and problems that others had identified as affecting future year operations and to reach some preliminary agreements on appropriate future Institutional directions.

In addition, to provide further involvement and participation in this year's Institutional planning, the Secretary and the Under Secretary formed a small advisory group composed of Smithsonian staff members from various functional and program areas. Known as the Planning Advisory Group, or PAG, these staff will advise and work with the Management Committee. Group membership was structured to represent a broad cross section of views, yet the group will function as an independent, consensual, non-parochial voice on issues and strategies of potential importance to the Smithsonian's future. The PAG will later assist the Institution in refining the Secretary's "Areas of Emphasis" statement and will participate in an advisory capacity in the spring 1990 budget assembly process. The PAG will also involve the various internal interest groups that have emerged in the last few years throughout the Institution (such as the Information Resource Management Synthesis Group, the Registrars Council, the African-American Association, the Latino Working Group and others) in its deliberations. The PAG will thus develop better, more complete information to information Institutional planning.

SELECTED RECENT MEDIA DEVELOPMENTS

Cable Television

Production of a new series of television programs entitled [[underline]] Smithsonian Institution Presents [[/underline]] has recently commenced. The entire cost of the thirteen one-half programs, $2.5 million, will be borne by the Discovery Channel, a leading cablecaster of educational programming. The programs, which will deal with the wonderment associated with the processes and products of invention and scientific discovery, are expected to air in the fall of this year. The initial stories are to be presented in magazine format and will feature the collections of the National Museum of American History.

In addition to reaching the potential audience of nearly 50 million viewers domestically, this series is expected to be distributed throughout Europe and japan, and thus represents the first major Smithsonian presence in the international television community. The potential implication for broadening worldwide interest in the national collections is vast.