NCJ Number
183512
Date Published
1999
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This booklet provides guidance to defender offices regarding publicizing to the public the various benefits defender agencies provide the community, identifying and securing support from those who have a stake in effective indigent defense, and finding resources to help defenders achieve their mission.
Abstract
The booklet advises that there are three major issues to be considered before making a leadership decision: value, legitimacy and support, and operational capacity. Strategic management offers techniques for addressing these issues. Regarding value, strategic management explores the rationale for the effort being considered along with the substantive values or benefits it will produce. Consideration of legitimacy and support involves determining who benefits from the work of the agency, who might support the agency's efforts, and whether people understand what the agency does and how they are connected to its mission. The issue of operational capacity is addressed by determining whether the agency has the capabilities of achieving the goal set, where the resources needed can be obtained, and whether the agency has the skills and knowledge to use these resources effectively. Overall, strategic management leads a defender agency to expand its resource base to achieve more benefits for clients and the community in which they reside. Under strategic management, the defender agency looks beyond the resources of its own staff to tap the resources and assets of the community in order to become a more valuable asset to the community. For the two other booklets in this series on defender leadership, see NCJ-183510 and 183511.