In the world of business, the effective and profitable functioning of the organization is the best guarantor for success. Effective functioning rarely happens on its own; it is the product of an iterative process that includes planning, assessment, and evaluation, which in turn informs further planning in an ongoing process aimed at the continuous improvement of quality.

In the world of higher education, the ultimate goal for institutions of learning is to raise the performance levels of students to prepare them to function effectively in an increasingly complex and changing world. The level of change that institutions must undergo to meet this challenge is often so fundamental, and of such a magnitude that it must be navigated through a self-perpetuating process of continuous quality improvement not unlike the processes used outside of academia.

Strategic planning is one of the central means by which all institutions can initiate and sustain such change. It is a structured, informed, and participative process that results in decisions and actions which position an entire organization to work together at the institutional, unit (or departmental), and program levels toward a desired end state.

There are five basic steps for academic leaders to follow in creating an academic strategic plan: create a vision statement, clarify core values, write a mission statement, identify strategic issues, and write academic goals.

1. Clarify Core Values—Values determine one’s approach and attitudes toward events or phenomena. Values are the measuring stick used to establish standards upon which important decisions are made.

2. Create a Vision Statement—To create a path to the future, one must have a concrete desired end state in mind. What does the organization want to look like, feel like, or be seen as in five years’ time? What does the organization want to become?

3. Write a Mission Statement—A mission statement is an articulation of an organization’s purpose, consistent with its vision and values.

4. Identify Strategic Issues—Central to the academic planning process is identifying what critical issues must be addressed in order for the organization to be successful in accomplishing its vision and mission. A SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) is a helpful methodology for identifying these issues.

5. Write Strategic Goals—A strategic goal identifies the general change or result that must be achieved over the long term to fulfill the organization’s vision and mission. Goals provide direction for efforts, and focus on the most important customer needs, products, and services.

Strategic planning is a relatively new and significant force for change in higher education. It is recognized that such planning can be the “glue” that helps to foster shared vision throughout the institution. However, for that to be realized key stakeholder groups must be at the table as the plan is being developed, and they must be committed to the follow through with actions at the department, unit, and program levels. Ultimately it comes down to the commitment of individuals, not only at the administrative level, but at all levels, throughout the institution.

For more on this topic, see Academic Strategic Planning—The Basics
by Joann Horton in the 4th Edition of the Faculty Guidebook.