Tactic 1-A: AACE will continue to offer certification programs designed to instill public confidence in the profession and acknowledge individuals who achieve proficiency/mastery in areas of specialization.

Action: 1-A-1: AACE will continue to offer its existing designations under the auspices of the Certification Board.
Action 1-A-2: AACE will develop a well-defined process for consideration of proposed and review of existing certification programs by June 2012.

Tactic 1-B: AACE will continue to meet or exceed the standards of the CESB. AACE credential standards will meet and exceed the requirements of the ANSI/ISO by 2013 in accordance with a plan adopted by the Certification Board.

Action 1-B-1: AACE will create a staff development program to assure that appropriate certification expertise is available to support the certification process.
Action 1-B-2: AACE Certification Board will conduct an annual review of the requirements and standards of CESB and provide a report to the Board of Directors on compliance with those standards beginning end of 2011.
Program 1-B-3: AACE will begin integrating the ANSI/ISO requirements into routine processes and procedures beginning June 2012.

Tactic 1-C: AACE will promote the value of our credentials to industry, government, and the academic community as the most cost-effective audience to cultivate in creating acceptance for the certifications.

Action 1-C-1: AACE marketing committees, TEC and staff will create and implement an annual marketing campaign designed to improve recognition and appreciation of our certification program among industry, government and academic communities by Fall 2011.
Action 1-C-2: AACE will conduct ongoing research regarding the career success of certification holders versus those without its certifications and report those findings biannually in a meaningful manner to stakeholders.

Tactic 1-D: AACE will provide learning opportunities for its members and stakeholders through partnerships, educators, and AACE learning platforms.

Program 1-D-1: AACE will monitor and improve its Approved Educational Provider program under the auspices of the Education Board.
Action 1-D-2: AACE will continue to provide online training programs through its partnership with online educational providers as approved by the Education Board.
Action 1-D-3: AACE will explore the feasibility of developing internal capacity to create and deploy educational programs online by December 2011.
Action 1-D-4: AACE will explore ways to provide quality education programs through sections, including the Seminar in a Box program, by September 2011.

Tactic 1-E: AACE will promote the value of our credentials to practitioners.

Action 1-E-1: The AACE marketing committees and staff will create an annual marketing plan regarding promotion of the value of credentials to practitioners that will be coordinated with other association marketing efforts by Fall 2011.

Tactic 1-F: AACE will continue to communicate with our members and stakeholders via appropriate media. Strategically, AACE will review the frequency and format of such media to assure the information is being distributed in an effective and economic manner.

Action 1-F-1: AACE staff will conduct a comprehensive communications audit and review and make recommendations regarding all media being used to communicate with our members by December 2011.
Action 1-F-2: AACE will develop a formal social media policy including discussion forums with input from the Tech Board and marketing committees as to where and when to engage in various social media networks and a formal social media campaign to increase awareness of AACE within social media by Fall 2011.
Action 1-F-3: AACE will continue to publish the Cost Engineering Journal. AACE staff will prepare a written recommendation to the Board of Directors regarding future frequency, format and financial support through advertising of the Journal by June 2011.

Tactic 1-G: AACE will facilitate the delivery of certification examinations to a wider array of stakeholders by offering computer-based testing that assure test security safeguards and the integrity of the process as measured by accepted practices among the certification community no later than June 2012.

Action 1-G-1: AACE will assure that we have the resources, including trained staff, systems and procedures and computer software/hardware to support the online examination system by December 2011.
Action 1-G-2: The AACE Certification Board will implement the approved plan for an online examination system by June 2012.

Tactic 1-H: AACE will strategically enter into partnerships with other entities to appropriately facilitate the distribution of AACE resources.

Action 1-H-1: When deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors, AACE will explore cooperating with other organizations in countries where English is not the predominant business language for the creation of section or providing functions normally performed by sections.

Tactic 1-I: AACE will ensure alignment of the Technical, Education, and Certification Board programs.

Action 1-I-1: AACE will convene a meeting of representatives of the Technical, Education, and Certification Boards to clearly define the role and scope of each entity and to establish formal communications channels among the boards by Fall 2011.
Action 1-I-2: AACE will review its governance structure to ensure proper alignment of the Technical, Education and Certification Boards and with the Board of Directors and other entities by June 2012.

Tactic 1-J: AACE will continue to provide the best possible technical information for our members and stakeholders by supporting the activities of the Certification Board.

Action 1-J-1: The Technical Board will continue to produce Recommended Practices for the benefit of the total cost management community.
Action 1-J-2: The Technical Board will continue to develop and distribute the Total Cost Management Framework.
Action 1-J-3: The Technical Board will continue to review and create standards for the submission of articles for the Cost Engineering Journal and technical papers for the Annual Meeting.

Tactic 2-A: Section and Region Meetings: AACE will develop effective and proactive sections and regions through leadership development programs and communicating with sections.

Action 2-A-1: AACE’s primary communication to sections will be through responsive and knowledgeable Regional Directors supported by headquarters staff. AACE should create a training program for regional directors at the beginning of their term to clearly define expectations and responsibilities by August 2011.
Action 2-A-2: AACE will provide online section leadership training by May 2011 and will continue to conduct annual section leadership training at the Annual Meeting.
Action 2-A-3: AACE will provide shared best practices among our sections on a continuing basis beginning September 2011.
Action 2-A-4: AACE’s region directors will review the section award criteria annually to assure the awards measure current activities of high value to the sections.
Action 2-A-5: AACE will develop enforceable minimum standards for sections to encourage improved performance by December 2012.
Action 2-A-6: AACE will review how best to integrate and support the activities of the CyberSection and explore options on how to represent that constituency into the governance of the organization by December 2012.
Action 2-A-7: AACE will provide sections with the opportunity to develop surveys specific to their membership to gain better insight into member preferences by October 2011.
Action 2-A-8: AACE will provide guidance and encouragement for regions wishing to hold regional meetings that foster the mission and vision of the Association.

Tactic 2-B: Website: AACE will maintain a member-centric website that fosters learning communities and communication of ideas, techniques, and technical information to our members and stakeholders.

Action 2-B-1: AACE will develop an audit of social networking channels and develop a written policy on engagement and monitoring of our presence by June 2011.
Action 2-B-2: AACE will develop an analysis of our discussion forums in relationship to other social media platforms to determine any need for improved technology or more effective online platforms to support online networking on our website by December 2011.
Action 2-B-3: AACE will develop online webinars and presentations such as the Visual TCM and the AACE Presents series for deployment on the website as a membership benefit by May 2011.
Action 2-B-4: AACE will develop a formal position on what should be public and what should be member only on its website and determine the decision making process and authority for such decisions in the future by December 2011. Such a policy should also define the policies governing charges to non-members.
Action 2-B-5: AACE should conduct an internal audit to assure that due diligence is being observed for the protection of intellectual property rights and that proper procedures are communicated to all affected entities of the organization by December 2011.
Action 2-B-6: Continue improvements to the website to enhance navigation and perceived value to members and other stakeholders.

Tactic 2-C: Annual Meeting: AACE will provide a world-class Annual Meeting that features the best possible technical sessions in an atmosphere that fosters networking, communication of ideas, and celebrates the best in our profession in a manner consistent with the Association’s culture and traditions.

Action 2-C-1: AACE will continue to survey and evaluate Annual Meeting surveys and respond to appropriate concerns and suggestions to improve the meeting.
Action 2-C-2: AACE will continue to use a rigorous peer review process for all technical papers and annual seminars submitted and develop appropriate techniques to improve content and presentation of material presented.
Action 2-C-3: AACE will periodically review the structure of the Annual Meetings Committee to assure it represents appropriate stakeholders and has adequate volunteer and staff resources to achieve its mission by June 2012.

Tactic 2-D: Awards: AACE will continue to recognize excellence in the profession through appropriate awards and recognition. It will also recognize outstanding contributions in service to the Association.

Action 2-D-1: AACE will conduct an audit and review of existing awards programs and create a more comprehensive narrative and description of the purpose, criteria and process of qualifying for the awards by December 2011.
Action 2-D-2: AACE will create an annual publicity plan to promote the achievement of award winners within the Association and to important stakeholder groups by June 2011.

Tactic 2-E: Scholarships/Student Involvement: AACE will encourage future generations to study and engage in cost engineering through awarding scholarships to worthy undergraduate and graduate students and engaging in a dialog with college students interested in the disciplines leading to a career in cost engineering.

Action 2-E-1: AACE’s Education Board and Young Professionals Committee will develop a process to increase involvement of scholarship recipients in AACE through such techniques as providing complimentary membership for a period of time, encouraging recipients to present papers at section meetings and similar functions by December 2011.
Action 2-E-2: The Young Professionals Committee will be asked to develop a plan for increasing involvement and expanding student members by June 2011.

Tactic 2-F: Membership Diversity and Mentorship: AACE will continue its support of task forces, committees and other entities to assure diversity in the communities representing our membership and stakeholders worldwide.

Action 2-F-1: AACE will continue to encourage the Young Professionals Committee, Women in Project Management, Diversity Task Force and Mentoring Advisory Committee and look for other appropriate ways to expand diversity within the membership.
Action 2-F-2: AACE will support the expansion of the Mentorship program as a means of transmitting knowledge from experienced cost engineering professionals to young professionals in early stages of their careers.
Action 2-F-3: AACE will continue to support appropriate methods to expand our membership and stakeholders internationally.

Tactic 3-A: Partnership Agreements: AACE will leverage our partnership agreements with existing organizations and enter into strategic relationships with other entities that advance the vision and mission of the Association consistent with the strategic plan.

Action 3-A-1: AACE will list expectations and criteria for future agreements to assure that partnerships are appropriate to the current strategic plan beginning April 2012. A written plan indicating how such partnerships advance the strategic objective will be required for all future partnerships and renewal of existing partnership agreements by April 2012.
Action 3-A-2: An annual review of existing partnerships will be conducted and a specific plan for implementing the provisions of the agreement will be presented to the Board of Directors by April 2012.
Action 3-A-3: AACE will develop highly professional workshop presentations that selected leaders may use at other organizational meetings that positions many of the features and benefits of being an AACE International member by October 2011.

Tactic 3-B: Governmental Relations Action: AACE will develop an ongoing government relations program with governmental agencies that need the technical expertise and educational training AACE can offer.

Action 3-B-1: AACE will identify and meet with key decision makers individually and collectively in appropriate forums to discuss the most effective way of partnering with agencies beginning in August 2011.
Action 3-B-2: AACE will create or modify its corporate sponsorship program to facilitate the ability of governmental entities to participate by June 2011.
Action 3-B-3: AACE will begin to identify and recruit individual members as “internal champions” within governmental entities by October 2011.
Action 3-B-4: AACE will create a communications/marketing campaign directed at governmental leaders at the federal, state/provincial and local levels that highlights the value of AACE International to governmental entities February 2012.

Tactic 3-C: Marketing/Communications Strategy and Branding: AACE will develop and conduct a marketing/communications audit and campaign that will help “brand” the Association and ensure there is a long-term marketing strategy to increase membership and the sales of AACE products and services. AACE will create communications strategy to explain the value added of cost management to key governmental, business and academic decision makers as well as the general public.

Action 3-C-1: AACE will develop and approve a service mark by September 2011 as part of our branding initiative.
Action 3-C-2: AACE will develop and promote a well-defined “value proposition” for various stakeholder segments by November 2011.
Action 3-C-3: AACE will approve an agreed upon standard definition of total cost management by April 2011
Action 3-C-4: AACE will develop communications plans designed to target business publications covering areas of interest to the profession by December 2011.
Action 3-C-5: AACE will review its current Corporate Sponsorship Program to determine its effectiveness by Oct. 2011. AACE will develop a specific marketing plan to increase corporate membership involvement by December 2011.
Action 3-C-6: AACE’s marketing committee and staff will identify and prioritize the markets among various industries with stakeholders and create marketing plans designed to increase our market penetration in those markets by April 2012.
Action 3-C-7: AACE’s Marketing Committee, Young Professionals Committee and staff will develop marketing strategies and materials for colleges and universities to increase their awareness of the cost engineering profession, to increase student membership, and to encourage the pipeline for future AACE members by Sept.2012.

Tactic 4-A: AACE will improve communications, effectiveness, and accountability by assessing the organizational structure of its Board, associate boards, committees, sections, and Headquarters.

Action 4-A-1: The Board of Directors will conduct a comprehensive review of the existing governance structure and make recommendations for restructuring by June 2012.
Action 4-A-2: AACE will review position descriptions and assessment measurements for all major volunteer positions, and revise or draft as needed by the end of 2012.

Tactic 4-B: AACE will strategically recruit, retain, and develop an effective Headquarters staff to assure that quality customer service standards can be maintained.

Action 4-B-1: AACE will conduct reviews of its salary and compensation schedule against competitors in its employment marketplace by September 2011. After that, we will conduct similar reviews at least once every three years.
Action 4-B-2: AACE will review the feasibility of using a professional employment organization (PEO) to improve human resources capabilities and benefits for staff by December 2011.

Tactic 4-C: AACE will benchmark itself against “best of breed” professional associations to identify and implement areas for improvement

Action 4-C-1: AACE will participate in the ASAE Peer Review process by December 2013.
Action 4-C-2: AACE will identify the “best of in class” professional associations against which they want to benchmark by December 2012.

Tactic 4-D: AACE will continue to retain a minimum reserve of 50% of its annual operating expenses and will assure that internal budgeting and accounting systems are in full compliance with federal requirements as well as accepted “best practices” for not for profit associations.

Program 4-D-1: AACE will continue to conduct an annual outside audit in accordance with our financial policies
Action 4-D-2: AACE will continue to conduct annual reviews of investment policies and procedures by the Vice President-Finance.

Tactic 4-E: AACE will periodically perform viability review of major programs.

Action 4-E-1: The Board of Directors will conduct a periodic review of major activities and initiatives to assess their relevancy and the appropriateness of their mission and structure. A list of major initiatives will be determined and frequency of review approved by the Board by December 2011.
Action 4-E-2: AACE will continue to conduct periodic membership and stakeholder surveys.

Tactic 4-F: AACE shall develop a leadership training assessment and development program for all levels of the organization, from section leaders to the Board of Directors.

Action 4-F-1: AACE will institute a Board of Directors orientation/training program overseen by the Vice President-Administration by June 2011.
Action 4-F-2: AACE will institute an online orientation/program for section leaders overseen by the Vice President-Regions by May 2011.

Tactic 4-G: AACE will create a headquarters technology and capital acquisition plan to assure that the Association has the proper resources to fully support the strategic plan.

Action 4-G-1: The AACE Executive Director will conduct a needs analysis for association management software and supporting hardware and infrastructure and present recommendations to the Board of Directors by June 2011.
Action 4-G-2: The AACE Executive Director will present an annual Capital Acquisition and Technology plan to the Board of Directors as part of the annual budget process beginning in 2012.

Tactic 4-H: AACE will develop a comprehensive membership recruitment and retention program.

Action 4-H-1: AACE’s marketing committees and staff will have a written comprehensive membership recruiting and retention plan prepared annually beginning in 2012.

Tactic 4-I: AACE will require a business plan to support a consideration for all proposed projects to ensure alignment with the strategic plan.

Action 4-I-1: The Vice President- Finance will be responsible for creating and recommending the accepted format for the presentation of projects to the Board of Directors by September 2011.

Tactic 4-J: AACE will ensure the strategic plan will address the necessary infrastructure to support international growth.

Action 4-J-1: AACE will seek appropriate organizational partners in countries to expand its membership internationally.
Action 4-J-2: AACE will review its organizational governance structure to assure participation and input from international sections and members.

Tactic 4-K: AACE will develop metrics, based on the strategic plan, by which it will measure and report progress on strategic initiatives and hold ourselves accountable for performance.

Action 4-K-1: The President-Elect will be responsible for reviewing the strategic plan annually and organizing efforts to update as necessary beginning with the 2011-12 administrative year.
Action 4-K-2: Each year, the Board of Directors will publish a plan of operations that outlines goals and objectives for the year with appropriate references to the strategic plan beginning with the 2011-12 administrative year.
Action 4-K-3: The AACE President will provide an annual report at the Annual Meeting that will be distributed to the members on progress against the strategic plan over the previous year beginning in 2012.

Tactic 4-L: AACE will promote and administer an effective Canons of Ethics program

Action 4-L-A: AACE will review and make any recommended changes to the Canons of Ethics by December 31, 2011
Action 4-L-B: AACE will create an Ethics Committee and Ethics Appeal Panel to review ethics complaints against members and certification holders by December 31, 2011
Action 4-L-C: AACE will promote its ethical standards to members and stakeholders through an ongoing communications campaign focusing on aspects of the Canons of Ethics starting no later than January 1, 2012