Transcript Strategic Planning at Texas Tech: Lessons from the Field T

CONVENING OF
TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Denton, Texas
Strategic Planning at Texas Tech:
The Approach Taken – The Lessons Learned
T. Gilmour Reeve, PhD
Professor & Director
Office of Strategic Planning
Strategic Planning
Conceptual definition:
• A formalized process
• Built on opportunities
(SWOT Analysis)
• Moving from Mission
to Vision
Strategic Planning
Basic ingredients:
• Mission Statement
• Vision Statement
• Goals to achieve vision
• Benchmarks for each goal
• Objectives for benchmarks
with strategies (tactics)
• Assessments
Strategic Planning
Why do Strategic Planning?
• Planning occurs in all
activities (intentionally or
not)
• Accreditation agencies
require planning
• Strategic Planning offers a
workable model
Strategic Planning
But Strategic Planning is a “Business
Model”
Is it suited for an Academic
Environment?
• YES – but we need to recognize and
apply the differences to adjust the
process accordingly
• Strategic Planning must WORK
FOR the university
Strategic Planning
Why plan when
EXTERNAL, UNEXPECTED & UNCONTROLLABLE
factors impact what happens on campus?
Planning based on a strategic vision with
predetermined goals and benchmarks are
MOST NEEDED
in an uncertain environment!
Strategic Planning
• Don’t strategic plans become
“SHELFWARE?”
• For many, there are really two
concerns:
– We WON’T use our strategic
plans
OR
– We WILL use our strategic
plans!
Strategic Planning
SHELFWARE OR NOT?
Strategic plans:
• Chart the course
• Maintain direction
• Are flexible and dynamic
Strategic Planning
Don’t strategic plans come and go
as often as college presidents?
The “Plan du jour Phenomenon”
With university commitment,
strategic plans will:
• endure changes,
• and be used in defining future
needs.
Strategic Planning
How do we get commitment from the university
community?
• Engagement
– All levels of the university
– Faculty, students, staff, administrators
• Use an “Out and In” approach
• Communication
• Develop sense of ownership
Strategic Planning
How do we know when we’ve reached our goals?
Assessment
Systematically collect and analyze data as
identified in benchmarks and interpret
findings relative to goals.
Strategic Planning
But we can’t assess what we do?
OH YEA!?
Then how do you know what you
have done?
Or
How do you know you’ve done
anything?
Strategic Planning
Assessment Examples
• Faculty manage to grade students in a variety
of contexts (science, philosophy, social studies,
art, dance, mathematics, etc)
• Academic programs and departments are
assessed regularly in program and
accreditation reviews
• Faculty and staff are evaluated for
performance and merit annually
Strategic Planning
But, what we do can’t always be captured in
numbers, test scores, or other quantitative
data!
THAT IS CORRECT!
So, you can also use qualitative information
of outcomes (student comments, awards
received, program reviews, etc.).
Strategic Planning
Levels of Assessment
Individual assessment
Students
Faculty, Staff, Administrators
Academic and Support Services
Course, Program, Departments
Institutional - University
Institutional Effectiveness
Strategic Planning
Strategic Planning + Levels of Assessment
Strategic Planning can and should
operate at each level of assessment.
That is, for students, faculty, courses, programs,
services, and the institution there should be visions,
goals, objectives, and strategies that can be assessed
over time.
Strategic Planning
Is strategic planning the final answer?
NO!
Strategic Planning is a process that must
be integrated with other accountability
and accreditation activities, and
budgeting and decision making , and
must be constantly evaluated to judge its
usefulness to the university.
Strategic Planning
The TTU Approach:
• Steering Committee
• Task Forces for reviews
• Strategic Plans at all levels
• First set of plans completed
December 2001
• Annual Assessment Reports
• Strategic Planning Web-page
• Publicly accessible plans and
reports
Strategic Planning
TTU Lessons Learned:
• Progress occurs through planning
• Engage the university community
• Develop a sense of ownership for all
• Begin with the end in mind
(planning + assessment)
• Be flexible and allow for changes
• Be open and accessible to all
• Work through problems –
not around them
Strategic Planning
Texas Woman’s University
and
Strategic Planning
The process and the outcome will
be UNIQUE to TWU
Where will you be a year from
now?
Thank you!