Steering Committee, Research Paper Example

Steering committees serve a valuable purpose in organizations and have varied responsibilities that enhance the establishment of a company’s organizational structure through a variety of projects. BusinessDictionary.com defines a steering committee as a group of advisors, which usually include experts or high level stakeholders of a company, that provide support and guidance on key issues that pertain to an organization (Steering Committee, 2014). Additionally, the steering committee is responsible for ensuring the appropriate teams are put in place to accomplish the tasks necessary to complete the projects and to report on progress of the projects. For example, such projects could include developing strategic initiatives to help a company grow or increase its profits, or projects might include implementing procedures to further a company’s strategic vision. These initiatives include organizing, coaching, and managing employees so that business operations support the strategic plans (Oster, 2015).

Steering committees operate to coordinate information and priorities and to recommend projects and actions that are likely to benefit an organization. This is done while taking the input of the stakeholders into account. The steering committee will also facilitate obtaining support and resources from outside the organization, as determined by the group, to help with any strategic initiatives for the organization. Additionally, members of the steering committee speak on behalf of the organization as well as participate in making strategic decisions. An example of an active steering committee is the Mystic River Watershed Steering Committee, which supports the Environmental Protection Agency to improve environmental conditions and water quality and have solicited the services of stakeholders to help guide the strategic direction for the project (EPA, n.d.).

References

EPA. (n.d.). Mystic River Watershe Initiative Steering Committee Purpose and Structure. Retrieved from EPA: http://www.epa.gov/mysticriver/pdfs/SteeringCommitteePurposeStructure.pdf

Oster, K. V. (2015). Responsibilities of an Executive Steering Committee. Retrieved from Houston Chronicle: http://work.chron.com/responsibilities-executive-steering-committee-23655.html

Steering Committee. (2014). Steering Committee. Retrieved from Business Dictionary: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/steering-committee.html