Strategies and Values

In early 2008, the Port of Seattle embarked on a planning process to update its Strategic Plan. The existing plan (below), in effect since 2003, remains active until a new plan is finalized.

The Port will develop a three-year plan for business goals leading up to the Centennial in 2011. The Port of Seattle was established when King County voters approved the port district on September 5, 1911.

This planning process will involve Port Commissioners, employees and the local community.

The second phase of strategic planning will take a longer look—over a 25-year horizon.

Strategies and Values, 2003-2007

At the Port of Seattle, we:

Invest in quality services and facilities for our customers and community
Act with integrity and openness
Take responsibility and make the hard choices
Treat each other with trust and respect
Embrace diversity in our workforce and partnerships
Promote continuous improvement in our organization and in ourselves

Strategies and Objectives

Ensure Airport and Seaport Vitality

The Port needs to "do well to do good." Financial performance and sustainability are central to the Port's operating divisions. Key objectives:

Maximize financial performance
Maximize asset utilization and high density development to achieve the highest throughput in the lowest possible footprint, and to preserve long-term growth capacity
Provide compelling customer and community value
Develop new business opportunities

Develop New Economic Opportunities for the Region and the Port

The Port has a key role in identifying and pursuing new economic opportunities to help grow and diversify our regional economy to compete effectively in the global marketplace. However, in pursuing these opportunities the Port must also ensure an adequate return on its financial investments. Key objectives:

Redevelop land where appropriate
Build relationships and partnerships to develop new business opportunities for the Port and local businesses to compete in the global economy
Generate additional income through new business activities

Enhance Public Understanding and Support of the Port's Role in the Region

Our future success depends on our being good stewards of financial and natural resources and fostering active community involvement and service. Key objectives:

Promote clear and visible internal and external communications about the Port's mission, activities and accomplishments
Enhance community engagement through visible planning and decision-making processes and public events
Build and maintain constructive working relationships with agencies, tenants and public interest groups
Expand opportunities for small, minority-owned, women-owned and emerging business enterprises as port contractors and suppliers
Promote and support sound legislation and regulation

Be a Catalyst for Regional Transportation Solutions

The Port is a leader in moving freight and people, and providing related services. The Port will leverage its infrastructure investments in collaboration and partnership with other agencies to develop regional transportation systems that are key to the Port's and the region's future success. Key objectives:

Ensure long-term effective access to airport and seaport facilities
Provide access to future port land development projects
Promote regional economic competitiveness
Assess future regional aviation capacity needs and advocate for additional facilities as needed

Be a Leader in Transportation Security

With the new importance of homeland security, the Port will support federal efforts to lead the development of a more secure transportation system. We will work on all levels to assure a value added, pragmatic, risk-benefit focus on the security of passengers, employees, cargo, and facilities. Key objectives:

Reinforce a coordinated security and public safety program for all port assets
Collaborate with shippers and governments to provide an integrated, regional approach to security issues for operators, customers, and governments
Participate in national and global efforts to improve homeland security, while facilitating the smooth flow of international commerce

Exhibit Environmental Stewardship through our Actions

The Port strives to integrate environmental and business objectives into our business. We develop, manage and operate port transportation infrastructure in an economically and environmentally sound manner. Key objectives:

Integrate environmental considerations into all aspects of our strategic planning, business decision-making and operations
Assure regulatory compliance in the construction and operation of our facilities and delivery of our services
Conserve energy and other resources, and minimize pollution and waste, in the construction and operation of our facilities and delivery of our services
Seek opportunities to improve air and water quality and to protect, preserve, and enhance natural resources under our ownership
Work with tenants to help emphasize the importance of environmental stewardship and the Port's commitment to that stewardship

Be a High-Performance Organization

Accomplishing our strategies will take a competitive, innovative, diverse, effective, nimble, results-driven, caring, safe, learning and spirited organization. We will attract and retain valuable employees, be an employer of choice, partner productively with organized labor, and provide a culture of clear expectations and accountability. Key objectives:

Ensure effective recruitment, learning and leadership development, performance planning and feedback, performance-based total compensation, communication, and team-building
Challenge old ways of doing things, build on lessons learned and compare measures of our own performance to those of other leading institutions
Aggressively introduce productivity-enhancing technology into our workplace whenever it is cost-effective and advances our strategies and values
Collaborate on safe work practices and promote a healthy work force