Preparing for the Future

"This is at one level a fascinating analysis of how the U.S. Air Force tries to plan for technological developments and environmental threats thirty years off. But it also analyzes the Air Force case to extract the implications for governmental organizations more generally. Both of these analyses are sophisticated, incisive, and subtle. It should be read by academics and by public managers." -Eugene Bardach, professor of public policy, Goldman School of Public Policy

"[The authors] are experts in strategic planning theory and practice, and they are virtuosos in the case study method, a fact that is clear from their book....their work makes a major contribution to the public management research on strategic management, executive leadership, and innovation in complex organizations." -Lawrence R. Jones, Naval Postgraduate School, Public Administration Review, 11/30/2006

"For those who continue to deliberate the advantages of strategic planning and best practices for navigating its implementation, Barzelay and Campbell have delivered a detailed and comprehensive case study well suited to illuminate the promises and pitfalls. Strategic planning is, above all, a journey that can at times be both dynamic and difficult. The authors have cogently described the U.S. Air Force's experience in planning for the 21st century -it is a valuable addition to the literature on this subject." -General Thomas S. Moorman Jr. (Ret.), former vice chief of staff, United States Air Force

" Preparing for the Future reveals how, when, and why strategic planning can be used to transform large government bureaucracies. Barzelay and Campbell's careful attention to context, content, process, and outcomes& #151;and the interconnections among them& #151;is outstanding. The story they tell is fascinating. The emphasis on visioning, competencies, leadership, culture, and smart practices is right on target. The result is a book that will become an instant classic in the field." -John M. Bryson, Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota

"This book is more than just a fascinating history of the Air Force's efforts to keep a step ahead of dizzying technologies and strategic challenges. It's also a searching examination of how public spirited career professionals can transform their agencies& #151;to use 'guided incrementalism' to improve the odds government gets where it needs to go. Preparing for the Future is a must-read for anyone interested in how government can shape the future, instead of the other way around." -Donald F. Kettl, University of Wisconsin-Madison