Strategic PlanningWhere are we now?
Where do we want
to go?
How are we going
to get there?
How did we do?
CEDAR CREST COLLEGE IS A LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE FOR WOMEN DEDICATED TO THE EDUCATION OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS. CEDAR CREST COLLEGE EDUCATES THE WHOLE STUDENT, PREPARING WOMEN FOR LIFE IN A GLOBAL COMMUNITY.
Start with the College’s Mission in Mind:
Review your department’s mission:■ State why your exist■ Reflect the College’s mission■ Act as a decision making tool for
you■ Be concise
Beyond MissionFive Broad Principles■ Scholarship■ Leadership■ Global Connectivity■ Civic Engagement■ Health & Wellness
Liberal Arts Core■ Critical analysis and
qualitative reasoning■ Scientific and quantitative
reasoning■ Technological competency
and information literacy■ Communication■ Creativity■ Ethics■ Global Awareness
Critical Differentiation What can we be the best at?■ The way we deliver
content■ Lifelong relationships
and community■ Personal
transformation■ Societal impact
Students come (& stay) for the “why”
not the ‘what.”
Why and the Golden Circle
Discussion of potential opportunities and threats posed by external environment
– Economic– Demographic– Technological– Political/Legal– Cultural– Competitive
DISCUSSION OF INTERNAL PROCESSES AND RESOURCES
Where are our strengths, where are our challenges?
Internal processes and resources:
– Admissions and retention– Curriculum development– Program development and modification– Student services and other student issues– Faculty development, support & quality– Resources
• Human• Capital• Physical
– Assessment/Accreditation– Articulation agreements
Weaknesses
Strengths
Set goals given your set of opportunities, threats, strengths and challenges.
– Program Quality (Note: Gaining accreditation is a strategy, not necessarily a goal.)
– Enrollment • Market Penetration• Market Development• “Product” Development
– Retention– Mission Focus– Recognition– Economic Efficiency
SMART Goal Setting■ Specific ■ Measurable■ Attainable■ Relevant■ Time Bound
Specific■ Don’t use words like “best.” Rather
define what best means to your department.
Measurable■ You need to be able to
demonstrate progress relative to the goal.
Attainable■ Goals must be achievable within
given budgetary and time constraints
■ Chairs to consult with the Provost and CFO in creating goals and budget
■ Remember the time vs. money balance vs. quality balance. (Fast, good, cheap: pick two)
Relevant■ Goals must relate to the missions of the
College. ■ Goals must relate to the missions
department.■ Goals must relate to the College’s broad
principles. ■ Goals need to extend beyond what and
when things get done and into the how and why.
Time Bound■ Deadlines help get things done■ Missed deadlines mean
– Inappropriate goals–Weak processes– Improperly budgeted resources
Think Small■ Maximum of Five Initiatives■ Each initiatives a maximum of five
strategic elements■ Each strategic element having a
maximum of five tactical operations
Strategy3-5 Years, “Big Picture”
Goal■ Program Quality■ Enrollment
– Market Penetration– Market Development– “Product”
Development
Strategy (Examples)■ Pursue discipline
specific accreditation; increase faculty development; hire new faculty with specific credentials
■ Launch online version of existing major; create SAGE version of a major; design new program
Strategy3-5 Years, “Big Picture”
Goal■ Retention■ Mission Focus■ Recognition■ Economic Efficiency
Strategy (Examples)■ Encourage use of student
services■ Create or enhance
leadership, civic engagement or global awareness initiatives
■ Define method for communicating department achievements with marketing and external constituencies
■ Find economies of scale; kill bureaucracy
Tactics■ A list of activities required in the
planning year that supports strategy.
■ Sub plans, like an accreditation plan or new program proposal fall into this category.
Budgeting■ Meet with Provost & CFO during planning
process■ Smaller, program specific initiative to be
funded within department budget and prioritized by department
■ Larger initiatives will become part of the college-wide plan and be prioritized by:– Contribution to College Mission– Availability of Resources (Capital, Human &
Physical)– Return on Investment– Time to implementation
Measure and Close the Loop
■ Record should be kept of progress toward goals
■ Progress should be assessed at regular intervals and discussed with department constituents. (Keep records)
■ Adjust strategies and tactics based on assessment
■ Repeat
QUESTIONS?