Port of Tacoma Strategic Plan

In 2020 the Port of Tacoma engaged MFA to assist in updating its Strategic Plan. The original plan was adopted in 2012 and updated in 2014. During the six years between the last update and our engagement, several significant changes affected the port’s operations and services. Notably, the creation of the Northwest Seaport Alliance in 2015 merged the container cargo operations of the Port of Tacoma with those of the Port of Seattle. This merger impacted staffing, financial standing, and community perception. With a new Port of Tacoma executive director at the helm, MFA facilitated the development of a new strategic plan that redefined the port’s mission and goals in light of these changes. This plan provided a foundational document to guide the port’s ongoing work and communicate its efforts to the community and key stakeholders. MFA also provided a model and template for establishing an annual implementation plan to inform the port’s budget and Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements.

The result of this effort was a Strategic Plan that aligned with the Port of Tacoma’s new operational reality, refreshed its goals, strategies, and tactics for achieving its mission, and enhanced coordination between the Port Commission and staff. The planning process also provided an opportunity to engage the community, involving them in crafting the plan and helping them understand the port’s role and their stake in its operations and mission.

Link to strategic plan: https://www.portoftacoma.com/planning/2021-2026-strategic-plan