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Northwest conducts its strategic planning process via a two-pronged approach (NOTE: THE NQSM FIGURE CAN BE FOUND IN QUESTION 2P1):
Key attributes of the planning process and key process steps are:
Key steps of institutional-level planning include:
The activities of Phase 1 occur during an annual two-day SPC fall retreat. The primary activity at the retreat is to complete an environmental scan. The environmental scan consists of six major areas of study and is informed by faculty experts and additional information.
Note: Findings help shape SIs and SSPPs and help form the basis for discussions during annual departmental visits as well as discussions through the Leadership System. Findings are also integrated into Board of Regents discussions, as appropriate.
At the retreat, multi-functional teams analyze elements of the environmental scan and convert those into challenges and advantages. Another key input during the retreat comes from Northwest’s external analysis process (NQSM Phase 4: External Validation), as the SPC reviews key findings from the previous year’s external feedback sources. These typically include a Baldrige-based feedback report, accrediting reports, audits, and the like.
The SPC validates the foundational statements. Validation and any necessary refinement come via consensus. During this portion of its retreat, the SPC reviews the KQIs/performance measures to help set the stage for refining and selecting new SIs. Proposed changes to the foundational documents are published for reaction by the campus community.
The environmental scan (Phase 1 of the NQSM) allows the SPC to consider short- and longer-term challenges, opportunities and strategies. Strategic Initiative (SI) teams, who are responsible for carrying out plans, prioritize their work during action plan development. Through periodic reviews by the SPC, oversight by the Cabinet, and the annual budget process, the priorities given to each SI are reviewed and adjusted as appropriate. This process ensures that short- and longer-term challenges and opportunities achieve a reasonable balance. Northwest ensures SIs balance the needs of students, employees, the community, alumni, and key suppliers/partners through:
Each SI has four action plans associated with its development: deployment, resource, measurement, and communication. Action plans are completed by a multi-functional SI team so input is gathered from all relevant stakeholder groups during SI development. Action plans are expressed in a common format, and are shared with the SPC electronically and verbally at SPC meetings. Strategic Initiatives and plans are also shared with the campus community. This knowledge sharing allows economies and lessons learned to be shared among SIs. Action plans are unique for each SI and provide a foundation for SI completion. Once SIs are complete (i.e. major goals have been met), ownership is given to an appropriate academic or service department for integration into the campus environment. In other words, it becomes a work process.
Because of the AQIP reaccreditation process, Northwest has modified its process to ensure that Strategic Initiatives are also referred to as AQIP action projects.
As noted in 8P1 and 8P2, university-wide plans are linked during phases 1 and 2 of the NQSM. Departmental plans, (i.e., SSPPs) are aligned to institutional goals via step 2 of the SSPP. Those plans and alignments are validated annually through the annual review process and the annual department visit. These processes as well as the bi-annual Planning and Development Days allow departments and senior leaders to ensure that departmental plans are linked to College and University strategies.
Each SI has four action plans associated with its development: deployment, resource, measurement, and communication. Action plans are completed by a multi-functional SI team so input is gathered from all relevant stakeholder groups during SI development. The measurement action plan and performance projections are discussed and agreed upon within the cross-functional SI planning team. Each SI has a unique set of measures and performance projects. When available, competitive comparisons from our Peer institutions are used to gauge future performance.
Phase 2 of the NQSM provides the context by which resources are allocated. The process begins with the Cabinet, where funds are allocated to SIs during a series of budget-focused Cabinet meetings. During each budget cycle, Northwest keeps a cash reserve in case extra funds are needed for emergency planning. Because of the SPC’s broad representation, academic and service departments play an important role in action plan development and eventually gain ownership of completed SIs. Therefore, the Deans’ Council and Cabinet members are empowered to add or reallocate funds accordingly to ensure sufficient support for SI and action plan development. In all, the four action plans address resources and other needs to ensure the appropriate support for action plan development.
Risks associated with action plans are identified via the environmental scan, and input on risks is gathered through the expertise of the SI team membership. A high priority is given to each SI to ensure it can be executed in the established timeframe, and plans are reinforced annually and tracked each trimester by the SPC.
Northwest’s action-oriented, cross-functional, team approach to strategic planning allows action plans to be modified to meet changing needs. The use of champions and empowerment of SI teams allow for the agility to modify action plans when new and valid information is introduced. As plans are modified, they are distributed electronically to the SPC and are reviewed/validated at SPC meetings.
Resources needed for departmental planning are allocated through the development of SSPPs – phase 3 of the NQSM. Future needs are addressed in the development of SSPPs and needed resources are requested from the department to the appropriate leadership group (Deans Council or Cabinet).