Which management principle involves aligning departmental goals with local government objectives?

Strategic planning is a critical management principle that focuses on defining an organization's direction and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this direction. It involves setting long-term goals, identifying the actions needed to achieve those goals, and aligning departmental objectives with the broader local government mission and vision. This alignment ensures that each department’s efforts contribute to overarching community goals, which can lead to improved governance and service delivery.

In the context of local government, strategic planning integrates various functions and services to create a cohesive approach to governance. By aligning departmental goals with these objectives, a municipality can more effectively address the needs of the community and ensure that all areas of the government work synergistically.

Other options, while important management practices, do not directly relate to the alignment aspect. For example, resource allocation focuses on distributing resources effectively, performance evaluation assesses the success of departments based on specific metrics, and operational efficiency aims to streamline processes for better productivity. Although these are all essential facets of management, they do not encompass the broader strategic alignment that strategic planning entails.