Case Study: Strategic Agenda Development

Enhancing An Institution’s Presence in Washington D.C.

A major research university concluded it needed to enhance its activities and visibility in Washington before the federal research agencies. Lewis-Burke was engaged to help this university develop a strategic plan to enhance its federal relations activity. The first task Lewis-Burke performed was an in-depth analysis and assessment of the institution’s strengths and expectations. The firm invested the time and attention to become intimately familiar with the institution’s centers and laboratories, key faculty, and administrators. Lewis-Burke used its knowledge of and experience in the federal research policy process, key trends, and opportunities at the federal level, and its exposure to the university to craft a roadmap for university and its leadership to increase their exposure and working relationships with an expanded set of federal agencies by focusing on a well identified set of short-term goals (i.e. two years), as well as the establishment of longer-term relationships.