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!