During ASNT 2021: The Annual Conference, the Board of Directors approved the new ASNT Strategic Plan—the association’s road map for the next five years (2022-2026). The plan is the culmination of two years of research, analysis, discussion, and reflection by the volunteer members of the Board of Directors and the management team, and reflects the cumulative input received from many key stakeholders. The plan identifies six strategic objectives—referred to as “pillars”—which are the association’s priorities.
“ASNT’s mission is to advance the field of nondestructive testing,” said ASNT Executive Director Neal Couture, CAE. “This plan articulates the Board’s vision for the Society over the next five years. I encourage you to join us in making this vision a reality.”
In structural terms, a pillar is used to support a building. This metaphor is useful in communicating the importance and purpose of the six strategic objectives identified: they will support ASNT’s advancement.
The six pillars of ASNT’s strategic plan are:
1. Expand and improve our certification portfolio.
2. Improve the membership value by providing essential content and engagement experiences.
3. Create pathways and resources for the entry, performance, and advancement of the nondestructive testing workforce.
4. Advance the nondestructive testing field by being an effective advocate.
5. Implement a regional growth strategy.
6. Establish and fund a research agenda.
As in physical structures, each of ASNT’s strategic pillars stands on its own but shares the overall load. For example, Pillar 1, “Expand and improve our certification portfolio,” also serves to improve value to membership (Pillar 2) and will play an important role in regional growth strategies (Pillar 5). There are such synergies between each of the pillars which taken together magnify the overall effects of the plan.
The full report is available at asnt.org/strategicplan and provides more detail about each of the pillars. The plan outlines the current reality that drives the need for each pillar, summarizes a future vision, and describes the strategies chosen to achieve the vision. Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals are identified.
ASNT’s members, sections, stakeholders, and peer societies are encouraged to read and engage with the ASNT Strategic Plan at asnt.org/strategicplan.