Transcript ESCFC Employment Cycle

Toward an Understanding
of Strategic
Planning/Management
Typical Administrative Day
The threat of being captured by “the” daily crises
• the missing purchase order
• personnel problems
• custodial no show
• parent complaint
• the roof is leaking
• new legislation
• changing test standards
• “60 Minutes” wants to interview you
Without A Roadmap
Organizations Flounder
• Emergence of Strategic Planning or Continuous
Improvement Plans
• Emerging Body of Research on Planning, Especially
about “poor” planning.
Traditional Characteristics
of a Strategic Plan
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Yearlong process
Multitudes
Needs assessment (external & internal)
Mission & vision statements
Statements of Beliefs
Goal statements
Traditional Characteristics
of a Strategic Plan (cont.)
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Action steps
Objectives
Assessments
Timelines
Glossy binder
Kumbaya
More Than Having a Plan
• A document or series of workshops to develop a
strategic plan does not translate into
organization discipline, focus, or achievement
• The Enron Corporation and Comcast both had
a Strategic Plan.
The Rise and Fall
of Strategic Planning
“You might as well dance
naked around a campfire as
to go to one more
sacramental [strategic ]
planning meeting”
Gary Hammel,
Harvard Business School
as quoted by Dr. M. Smoker
Characteristics of Failure
• Failure is often characterized by:
– Too many goals
– Confusing goals with objectives
– Too many objectives
– Failure to link goals and objectives to student
achievement
– Too long term vs. short term
More Characteristics of Failure
– Minimal buy-in by staff
– Failure to celebrate successes
– Failure to link to CEO/staff evaluation &
compensation
– Lack of transparency
– Weak skill sets in designing and implementing a
meaningful plan
Evolution
• Despite all the criticisms, strategic plans survive and
have evolved into essential tools for high-performing
organizations.
• Lessons from Chief Strategy Officers:
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AIG
Accenture
Pepsico
Motorola
Focus the Organization
• “…changes in the landscapes, new regulations, complexities,
struggle to be on top of everything…” Harvard Business Review,
‘The Chief Strategy Officer,’ Breene, Nunes, and Shill.
• The need to simplify multiple demands, focus the organization, align
resources and maintain a culture that is positive for children.
• Dysfunction occurs when the “adult” problems overshadow the
“student” problems. Schools exist for the children not the adults.
Why “Next Generation”
Strategic Plans Are Valued
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Provide organizational focus and discipline
Clarify responsibilities
Provide formative assessment of organization progress
Articulate activities agreed upon for successful
implementation
• Communicate direction to stakeholders – minimize
ambiguity
• Common language and vocabulary
• Executes organization’s mission
What Does a “Next Generation”
Strategic Plan Look Like? One that
is successfully managed!
• Goals are broad statements of intent, timeless – Instructional
Achievement for Students
• Most educational organizations have 5-6 goals, typically centered
around:
– Instruction
– Staff Development
– Community Engagement
– Management/Operations
– Student Services & Enrichment
– Financial
What Does a “Next Generation”
Strategic Plan Look Like? One that
is managed!
• Objectives are specific statements of what the
organization is to do in a prescribed period of time
– Example: 80 percent of students shall demonstrate
improved writing skills through the district wide
implementation of grade level writing rubrics by the
end of the academic year.
Elements of the Plan
• Work Plan: Activities that are necessary to
accomplish the objective
• Identifying responsible parties, timelines and
resources
Work Plans/CIP
Work Plans
Work/CIP Plan Timelines: Key
Management Elements
Timelines:
August: Work session for leadership team to identify annual objectives
a) Thoughtfully write objectives and work plans
b) Share and gain input with Board of Directors
c) Share and gain input with staff
September: Post on website, share with stakeholders, launch activities
October–June: Monthly/Biweekly updates – formative
January: Written assessment of progress on the plan
July: Written evaluation on the plan – review data.
Additional Considerations
• Administrative Compensation: Merit Pay
• Celebration of Accomplishments
• Outside Perspective - Another Set of Eyes
Short Term Objectives Vs. Long
Example: Anytown Schools
Anytown Schools: 2008-2009
• Our Mission is to provide world class academic
opportunities so that our students can succeed
in a changing world.
Example: Anytown Schools
Our Organizational Goals:
I.
To provide quality instructional programming
II. To develop and promote human resources through staff development
III. To develop and demonstrate managerial and operational excellence
IV. To develop sustainable community partnerships
V. To develop financial resources and procedures that accomplish our mission
VI. To develop and implement student services that reinforce the academic mission of
our school
Example: Anytown Schools
Anytown’s Needs
• Instructional Program: Writing process
• Staff Development: AYP Gap in Middle School
• Policy Development: Board and Administrative Policies outdated
and missing
• Creation of a Foundation: Supplemental source of income
• Health and Wellness Program: Students identified with weightrelated health problems
Example: Anytown Schools
Our Organizational Goals:
I.
To provide quality instructional programming
I.
80 % of students shall demonstrate improved writing skills through the district wide implementation of
grade level writing rubrics by the end of the academic year.
II.
To develop and promote human resources through staff development
III.
To develop and demonstrate managerial and operational excellence
IV.
To develop sustainable community partnerships
V.
To develop financial resources and procedures that accomplish our mission
VI.
To develop and implement student services that reinforce the academic mission of our school