Mission, Vision, Guiding Principles, and Strategy
Mission
The Mission of the Postal Regulatory Commission is to:
Vision for 2012
Five Year view for postal system: The Commission will ensure transparency and accountability of
the United States Postal Service and foster a vital and efficient postal system that includes
universal service.
In five years time, the Postal Service will have several years of experience operating under a
modern rate regulation system. There will be more consistency in postal rates because of a
predictable ratemaking process as well as transparency and financial accountability across postal
classes.
The public will better understand the Postal Service because of enhanced transparency.
The Postal Service will be better able to respond to changing market conditions, factors, and
concerns as identified in the PAEA. The Postal Service
will be a responsive service provider focused on efficiency and effectiveness.
The role of the Commission in the future of the postal system: Over the next five years, the
Commission will become a mature regulator exercising statutory and comprehensive oversight of the
United States Postal Service. We will promote transparency, accountability, predictability, and
responsiveness.
We will achieve these core objectives and inspire the trust of our stakeholders by:
- Continuing to utilize strong technical expertise to our role as regulator
- Maintaining open communication with all stakeholders
- Establishing and implementing rigorous methods to assess Postal Service adherence to compliance
reviews that focus on objectives and factors of customer service and financial standards
- Creating a consistent and proactive reporting mechanism
- Operating by our guiding principles
- Achieving our strategic goals
Over the next five years, the Commission will establish and refine rules, regulations, and procedures
to fully meet the intent and spirit of the PAEA. The early years of work will be dedicated to
development of the rules, regulations, and procedures to comply with the PAEA and to plan and perform
appropriate studies for the U.S. Congress. As these regulations and procedures are employed, they
will be assessed and refined in partnership with stakeholders, moving toward a more effective mail
system coupled with effective oversight.
The Commission will communicate to the U.S. Congress, and other stakeholders, concerning Commission
operations through a series of annual and periodic reports, which includes:
- Annual Report to the President and the Congress
- Annual Compliance Report
- Report to President and the Congress on universal postal service and the postal monopoly in
the United States
- Report on rates (costs) for periodicals; jointly with the Postal Service
- Five year review to determine if the institutional cost contribution requirements specified
in the rule applicable to competitive products should be retained in its current form, modified, or
eliminated (section 3633(a)(3))
- Ten year review of the system for regulating rates and classes for market-dominant products to
determine whether the system is achieving objectives of the PAEA.
Guiding Principles
The Commission is committed to and operates by the principles of:
- Openness
- Stakeholder (public) participation
- Collegiality and multi-disciplinary approaches
- Timely and rigorous analysis
- Fairness and impartiality
- Integrity
- Commitment to excellence
- Merit
Key Strategic Goals
The Strategic Goals describe the primary focus areas that will enable the Commission to meet its
five-year vision. Both internal and external priorities are described.
Goal 1 - Modern Rate and Product Regulation
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Establish and maintain a predictable, transparent, and effective system of rate and product regulation.
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Goal 2 - Service Performance Evaluation
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Ensure appropriate and transparent United States Postal Service performance standards and
measurements to promote an efficient, effective and responsive mail service.
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Goal 3 - Financial Accountability and Compliance
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Ensure transparent, accurate, and informative United States Postal Service data reporting
sufficient for evaluation of financial performance.
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Goal 4 - Complaint Process
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Ensure United States Postal Service accountability through a fair and open public complaint
process that provides appropriate and timely resolution.
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Goal 5 - Public Participation and Government Relations
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Ensure the Commission is visible and readily accessible to all stakeholders.
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Goal 6 - Human Capital
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Enhance a system that fosters recruitment, development, and retention of a talented and skilled workforce.
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Goal 7 - Program Integration and Support
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Utilize latest technology, operational systems, and organizational infrastructure in achieving Commission goals.
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