RESOLUTION NO. 3775
Port of Seattle Century Agenda Policy Directive Page 2 of 6
SECTION 1. Purpose.
The purpose of this policy directive is to establish the Port of Seattle’s Century Agenda goals to
guide the strategic planning, budget, and resource allocation throughout the Port of Seattle. It
also provides guidance to the Executive Director, the Executive Leadership Team, and Port
employees on the formulation, execution and modification of the Century Agenda.
SECTION 2. Definitions.
When used in this policy directive, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given
below unless the context in which they are included clearly indicates otherwise:
“Century Agenda” means the 2012 comprehensive, strategic initiative to guide Port priorities for
the next quarter century. The Century Agenda aligns the Port’s strategies and objectives to 21st
century challenges and innovative solutions. In 2010, the Commission launched an extensive
public engagement effort and formed a Century Agenda Committee to guide the Port’s long-
range vision. More than 1,000 people attended over 60 events and engagements to help develop
the Vision, Strategies and Objectives.
“Goal” means the enduring and aspirational aims for the Port of Seattle. Goals are set by the
Commission and used as the basis for all Division and Centers of Excellence (COEs) strategic
business planning and resource allocation.
“KPI” means Key Performance Indicator and are performance based, data driven tools and
metrics intended to monitor and demonstrate progress towards goals and objectives. KPIs are
set by Divisions and COEs and reviewed by the Executive Director and the Commission.
“Objective” means set of strategies to be implemented by Divisions and COEs to achieve “goals.”
Set by the Executive Director and reviewed by the Commission. Implemented through Division
and COEs business planning.
“Target” means qualitative or quantitative goal that, if attained, defines the success in reaching
or making significant progress towards a “goal” or “objective.” Set by the Divisions and COEs and
reviewed by the Commission.
SECTION 3. Scope and Applicability.
This policy directive applies to all Divisions and COEs within the Port of Seattle. The goals set by
the Commission will be the basis for strategic planning, budget and resource allocation
throughout the Port of Seattle. All business planning and resource allocation efforts will be clearly
aligned to the goals set by the Century Agenda, the objectives established to execute on them
and the KPIs developed to ensure accountability and progress.
Port of Seattle Century Agenda Policy Directive Page 3 of 6
SECTION 4. Responsibilities.
This section establishes responsibilities for the formulation, execution and modification of the
Century Agenda.
A. The Commission shall set the Century Agenda goals and require Commission action. Goals
represent the highest priorities of the Port of Seattle and are reflected in all business
plans, strategic plans and resource allocation. These goals are intended to be enduring.
Objectives, as formulated by the Executive Director, will be presented to the Commission
for review and input on adherence to Century Agenda Goals.
KPIs and Targets shall be reviewed by the Commission annually during the budget
process.
B. The Executive Director shall engage in the following activities in pursuit of this policy
directive, either directly or by appropriate delegation of authority:
i. Develop and update objectives every five (5) years, or as needed, to inform strategic
planning, annual business plans and resource allocation.
ii. Develop KPIs that measure progress towards goals and objectives in a quantifiable
manner. Annual and longer-term KPI targets will be set by the Executive Director and
reviewed by the Commission.
iii. Deliver updates on metrics tracked through KPIs to the commission on an annual basis
as part of the budget approval process.
iv. Demonstrate clear alignment between Division and COEs strategic business plans,
budget and resources allocations and Century Agenda goals and objectives.
C. All Divisions and COEs, through the Executive Leadership Team, shall use the goals set by
Commission as the basis for annual and strategic business planning. Each Division and
COE will align its planning and resource allocation to Century Agenda goals and objectives.
The Executive Leadership team will work with the Executive Director to develop or update
the objectives every five (5) years or as necessary.
The Executive Leadership Team will work with their respective Divisions and COEs to
develop KPIs and targets to measure progress towards Century Agenda goals and
objectives as appropriate.
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SECTION 5. Policy.
The Commission establishes the following Century Agenda goals. Each goal will guide the
development of objectives and KPIs.
A. Goal 1: Position the Puget Sound Region as a Premier International Logistics Hub –
Through this goal the Port of Seattle will ensure it meets and supports the international
trade needs of the region and keeps the Northwest Seaport Alliance competitive in the
global marketplace while it prioritizes environmental sustainability and the needs of the
local economy.
B. Goal 2: Advance this Region as a Leading Tourism Destination and Business Gateway –
Through this goal the Port of Seattle will ensure that the Seattle Tacoma International
Airport (SEA) stays competitive, sustainable, efficient and customer-focused. As an
anchor institution, the Port will strive to meet the region's air transportation needs and
maintain the facilities and infrastructure to make that possible.
C. Goal 3: Responsibly Invest in the Economic Growth of the Region and all its
Communities – Through this goal the Port of Seattle will ensure that we are creating
opportunities for all of our communities. Supporting, sustaining and advancing port-
related industries and industrial lands is essential to the region’s continued growth and
prosperity. The Port will consider the cultural, economic, and community impacts of that
growth as responsible stewards of the public trust.
D. Goal 4: Be the Greenest, and Most Energy Efficient Port in North America – Through this
goal the Port of Seattle will ensure that as an institution, in all our programs, initiatives,
efforts and projects, that we are dedicated to sustainability and environmental
protection. The Port is dedicated to leaving our environment better than we found it. A
basic tenet of the Port’s work includes meeting the needs of the region, our partners, and
our customers while reducing the Port’s carbon footprint, increasing the use of renewable
energy sources, restoring and preserving the habitats we occupy.
E. Goal 5: Become a Model for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion – Through this goal the Port
of Seattle will ensure that equity is at the core of all our work and the principles the Port
embodies. The Port will continue to focus on community investment and engagement in
regional workforce development, use of and partnership with women and minority
owned businesses, and small businesses. Internal and external programs, structures, and
practices will be viewed and reviewed through an equity lens.
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F. Goal 6: Be a Highly Effective Public Agency – Through this goal the Port of Seattle will
ensure that its function as a public agency is marked by accountability, transparency,
safety, innovation, and responsible financial stewardship. The Port of Seattle will strive
to be a good community partner and use our influence to ensure that all the communities
we serve are healthy and safe.
Objectives, developed to align with these goals, will be presented to the Commission for review
and input. When new objectives need to be developed, the Commission will have additional
opportunity for review and to provide input.
SECTION 6. Program Evaluation.
A. Reporting Process
i. During the annual budget planning process, the Executive Director shall report to
the Commission on progress towards achieving Century Agenda goals and
objectives, through KPIs. KPIs will be evaluated against Targets and the
Commission will review progress and provide input as needed or desired.
ii. Each Division and COE will report to the Executive Director on their progress
towards the Century Agenda goals through these KPIs.
B. Review Process
i. Goals – Review of goals will be reserved for major, necessary, and long-term shifts
in the priorities of the Port of Seattle or the regional landscape.
a. Changes to Century Agenda goals will require Commission Committee review
and Commission action.
ii. Objectives – The Executive Director shall deliver objectives to the Commission
which correlate directly to the goals and demonstrate vertical alignment between
the goals, business plans, KPIs, projects, resource allocation and budget.
a. Objectives will be formulated and reviewed by the Executive Director and the
Executive Leadership Team every five (5) years. During this time, the
Commission will review and provide input on objectives for their adherence to
the goals.
b. Changes or modifications to the objectives can be made periodically as KPIs
indicate or port priorities shift over time. The Executive Director will formulate
the objectives and review the proposed changes with the Commission to
ensure that any changes reflect the intent of goals provided in this policy.
iii. KPIs – The Executive Director shall deliver KPIs to the Commission which show
vertical alignment between goals, objectives, business plans, projects resource
allocation and budget.
a. The Executive Leadership Team will work with their respective Divisions and
COEs to develop KPIs and Targets to measure progress towards Century
Agenda goals and objectives as appropriate. Each KPI will endure for three (3)
to five (5) years at a minimum so that progress and trends can be monitored
and reported.
Port of Seattle Century Agenda Policy Directive Page 6 of 6
b. Changes or modification to the KPIs and Targets can be made periodically as
port priorities shift over time. The Divisions and COEs will update the KPIs and
review the proposed changes with the Executive Leadership Team and
Executive Director. The Executive Director will inform the Commission when
changes to KPIs are made that may have a significant impact on achieving
objectives and goals.
