CLIENT EXAMPLE

Computing Research Association

CHALLENGE

The Computing Research Association (CRA) is an international non-profit, membership-based organization that serves the computing research community in North America. Current membership includes more than 200 higher education departments of computer science, information, and computer engineering, as well as government and industry laboratories and research centers.

The organization did not have a current strategic plan in the face of a rapidly changing landscape, including the following strategic challenges.  Workforce demand is outpacing the field’s ability to thoroughly prepare competent researchers. The declining graduate research pipeline is threatening universities’ role in computing research. There is a lack of diversity in the computing research workforce and pipeline presenting a risk of bias in computing research applications. Additionally, society is increasingly concerned about ethical use and negative consequences of computing capabilities.

Greenway Strategy Group was selected by the CRA Board to design and lead a strategic planning process that engaged the full membership while considering external forces affecting the field.

OUR APPROACH

  • Facilitated a steering committee of current and former Board members to draft the strategic plan; the steering committee included representatives from MIT, Williams College, Harvey Mudd College, Georgia Tech, and Microsoft

  • Managed interactive strategy sessions among the 35-member CRA board

  • Conducted focus groups and interviews with leading technology researchers representing higher education institutions as well as the National Science Foundation (NSF), White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and industry research labs

  • Designed and facilitated sessions with the entire membership body over a 2-day virtual conference by:

    • Presenting information about the draft strategic plan

    • Gathering anonymous feedback using our partner community engagement resource, Thought Exchange

    • Facilitating virtual breakout groups to discuss the feedback

  • Following approval by the entire Board of Directors, we assessed current programs and staffing resources, supported implementation planning for new strategic initiatives, and made recommendations for enhancements to the organization governance structure.

IMPACT

The updated mission is proactive in the face of current challenges and opportunities:

The Computing Research Association catalyzes computing research by joining with industry, government, and academia. CRA executes this mission by leading the computing research community; informing policymakers and the public; and championing a diverse, welcoming, equitable, and socially responsible computing research community.

The strategic plan includes expanding work in new areas that are aligned with six strategic themes:

  • Prioritize and focus CRA effort

  • Leverage the capacity of the CRA network

  • Inform the field of emerging best practices

  • Expand partnerships and connections among the computing research community

  • Strengthen pathways and diversify the field of computing researchers

  • Increase awareness of CRA value

As one example of implementation, CRA is spearheading efforts to transform and improve undergraduate computing education. With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), community leaders, and NSF Alliances to Broaden Participation in Computing, the NSF LEVEL UP initiative is building consensus on best practices for creating more effective, inclusive, and equitable computing programs. These efforts aim to ensure that all students have the opportunity to thrive in undergraduate computing education.  This collaborative effort engaged nearly 400 educators, researchers, and professionals from across the computing community through six regional workshops held in late 2023 and early 2024.  Based on findings from the six workshops, CRA rolled out four initial evidence-based, high-priority strategies that academic leaders are encouraged to implement.

CRA has also addressed recommendations for its governance structure and Board nomination approach to increase transparency and inclusion.