18 FAM 300
strategic direction and management
18 fam 301
principles and practices
18 FAM 301.1
managing for results (mfr) framework
(CT:PPP-15; 02-22-2019)
(Office of Origin: BP)
18 FAM 301.1-1 Managing for
results (mfr) introduction
(CT:PPP-9; 08-27-2018)
a. The Managing for Results (MfR) Framework illustrates
key linkages among State Department strategic planning, budgeting, managing,
and learning. The products and processes associated with the MfR Framework are
intended to help bureaus and missions make informed decisions at the strategic
and operational levels, and achieve improved outcomes through use of rigorous
monitoring and evaluation practices. Improving how the Department plans,
budgets, manages, learns, and uses deliverables from one part of the framework
to inform the others can:
Strengthen decision-making on strategic priorities ,
Assess whats working well (and what is not) to inform strategic,
programmatic, and budget decisions,
Articulate how the Department spends resources, and increase
transparency and accountability,
Improve coordination within the Department and with external
stakeholders, and
Tell Congress and taxpayers what we are achieving.
b. The Office of U.S. Foreign Assistance Resources (F)
and the Bureau of Budget and Planning (BP), in collaboration with USAID,
facilitate and oversee the products and processes associated with the MfR
Framework.
18 FAM 301.1-2 planning
(CT:PPP-9; 08-27-2018)
Strategic planning for State occurs at the department,
bureau, and mission levels. On February 12, 2018, State and USAID released a
shared four-year Joint Strategic Plan (JSP) that sets forth the direction and
priorities for both organizations and presents how State and USAID will
implement U.S. foreign policy. Bureaus and Missions develop their own
strategies using the JSP and other relevant high-level policies and strategies,
such as the National Security Strategy, to inform their plans. Regional Bureaus
at State and USAID develop a Joint Regional Strategy (JRS) and State Functional
Bureaus develop a Functional Bureau Strategy (FBS) with input from stakeholders
throughout the Department, and from interagency partners where appropriate.
Each mission develops an Integrated Country Strategy (ICS) drawing from the
relevant JRS and higher level policy guidance.
18 FAM 301.1-3 Budgeting
(CT:PPP-9; 08-27-2018))
The Departments annual budget formulation process aligns
and prioritizes resources against strategic plans. The budget process begins
in later winter with the Mission Resource Request (MRR) followed by the Bureau
Resource Request (BRR) in early spring. Those requests are then analyzed and
assessed by F and BP against Department, USAID, and Administration goals.
Options and recommendations are presented to the Secretary, and his/her
decisions are reflected in a combined State and USAID budget submission to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in September, following guidance under OMB
Circular A-11. Subsequent to OMBs recommendations and decisions, the State
and USAID budget request is included in the Presidents Budget submission to
Congress in February, with further details provided in Congressional Budget
Justification (CBJ) materials. Congress reviews the request through spring,
summer, and fall, but timing of the full-year appropriations varies from year
to year. Once a final budget is passed, the Department is generally required
by Congress to submit operating plans or allocation plans to present how the
enacted funds will be distributed amongst specific bureaus, programs, and
priorities.
18 FAM 301.1-4 Program management
(CT:PPP-9; 08-27-2018)
a. Program management involves thoughtful planning,
design, and implementation of programs in a manner that contributes to the
intended outcome. The Department has numerous resources to support program
management best practices including the Program Design and Performance
Management Toolkit, and Teamwork@State tools and workshops.
b. Managing involves thoughtful planning and
implementation of programs, projects, and processes in a manner that achieves
their intended goals and objectives. Sound management is an ongoing activity
to ensure our investments achieve those goals efficiently and effectively.
Monitoring and data collection efforts should be integrated through the life of
a program, project, or process, as they inform ongoing adjustments and improvements,
as well as topics for evaluation. This stage of the MfR Framework involves
implementing Operational Plans; the Departments Program and Project Design, Monitoring,
and Evaluation Policy; and executing the sound management practices articulated
in the State Department Program Design and Performance Management Toolkit.
Bureaus and offices may have additional best practices in program management.
Program management practices at the Department also support legislative
requirements such as the Government Performance and Results Modernization Act
(GPRAMA, PL 111-352), Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act (FATAA,
PL 114-191.), and the Program Management Improvement and Accountability Act
(PMIAA, PL 114-264).
18 fam 301.1-5 learning
(CT:PPP-9; 08-27-2018)
As the Department works to advance its goals, learning what
is and is not working well, and why, is critical to efficiently and effectively
executing impactful U.S. foreign policy. Learning takes place when all levels
of an organization engage in the thoughtful and purposeful collection,
analysis, and discussion of information to assess progress toward their goals
and adapt as necessary. State Department bureaus and offices monitor ongoing
implementation of their programs and projects through qualitative and
quantitative indicators, and conduct evaluations to assess overall program, or
project, or process effectiveness. This stage of the MfR framework includes
activities to support strategic progress reviews, monitoring, and evaluation as
well as various performance reporting mechanisms like the Annual Performance
Plan and Annual Performance Report (APP/APR), Foreign Assistance Performance
Plan and Report (PPR), Evaluation Registry, and Evaluation Management System.