The NATO C3 Agency has released its 2011-2013 strategic plan, a two-pronged approach to increase operational efficiency and make selective investments to position the agency for the future.

The strategic plan has been written at a significant moment for NATO and the agency, it said in a statement.

The strategic plan was developed after a major managerial review.

NATO will face increasing reform of its structures that will impact NC3A. On the whole, NC3A is well positioned for these changes, the agency statement said. However, Agency sponsor demand will begin to decline in some areas before stabilizing and at the same time new demand is expected to increase for multinational, Multi-sensor Aerospace-Ground Joint Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Interoperability Coalition (MAJIIC)-like solutions and Comprehensive Approach security related procurement activities. This demand will draw NC3A into a wider Enterprise with a broader sponsor base, involving NATO’s partners and entities within NATO nations involved in defense-security matters.

NC3A will need to reduce its workforce in the near term to reach breakeven. Over time, NC3A will adjust the contractor-to-NC3A staff balance to ensure NC3A has the competencies and agility required for the future.

The agency’s senior management defined five strategic goals so the agency can continue positioning itself to support NATO’s new Strategic Concept when it is released: quality; transparency; interoperability in a secure environment; exploring future opportunities; and support to operations.

To reach these goals during an economic downturn, senior management has planned a strategy with two principle prongs, the statement said. One is to reduce costs selectively by focusing on operational efficiency to get NC3A lean for the future. Agency management will increasingly focus on: outcomes, communicating and demonstrating our quality and values.

Another goal is to invest relatively comprehensively but selectively in the future to generate revenue by resourcing those areas of activity and investments that offer reliable returns in reasonable payback periods. Some of the investment areas will be C4ISR coherence role, comprehensive C4ISR approach; and NC3A people.

For more information go to http://www.nc3a.nato.int/Pages/Home.aspx