The purpose of this study was to examine use of decision-making tools and feedback in strategic planning in order to develop a rigorous process that would promote the efficiency of strategic planning for acquisitions in the United States Coast Guard (USCG). Strategic planning is critical to agencies such as the USCG in order to be effective stewards of the nation's resources. When strategic planning is inefficient, managers are unable to properly utilize resources for the betterment of public service. The theoretical foundation for this study was scenario-based planning, a cyclic planning process that utilizes feedback to improve planning outcomes. The key research questions addressed how USCG managers utilize decision-making tools in strategic planning and how feedback is integrated into strategic planning outcomes. The study utilized a qualitative, grounded theory approach to describe and analyze the current strategic planning documents and lessons-learned database from past years' acquisitions. Data were analyzed thematically according to the earned value metrics of cost, schedule, and performance using Atlas.ti qualitative software. The findings indicated that no consistent decision-making tools were used across strategic planning processes; cost, schedule, performance priorities varied across strategic planning processes; and feedback was not integrated into future planning cycles. The frequency of qualitative themes from strategic planning documents and "lessons-learned" databases were translated into a mathematically rigorous process that tracks the efficiency of the strategic planning process. The social impact of the study is increased efficacy in strategic planning by the USCG to the betterment of public trust and its responsibilities as a public agency. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]