Academic Master Planning

There are many ways that the development of an academic master plan can be achieved. The process selected must fit the culture and context of the institution. Two options are below. Each option may be adopted in whole or in part or elements of either process may be selected and combined.

Assumptions:

• Environmental scanning has been done as part of the college plan.

• The vision, mission, and strategic direction of the college has been decided upon in the college strategic planning process.

• The college's strategic plan will provide a framework for the academic master plan and will include some component (strategic directions or goals) that relates directly to the instructional program.

• A Task Force of managers, faculty, classified, and students, including key decision makers will be established.

Role of the Task Force:

• Consults on process and adopts process that fits the college culture

• Responsible for content of the academic master plan

• Leads elements of the process

• Analyzes and synthesizes information

• Formulates strategic directions and goals

• Develops robust communication systems for feedback

• Makes recommendations and decisions

Role of the Consultant:

• Designs process in consultation with the Task Force

• Responsible for implementation of the process

• Facilitates large scale events, if necessary. (This can also be accomplished by an internal staff person or local facilitator.)

• Debrief of events with Task Force and Chief Academic Officer

• Assistance with analysis and synthesis of work products that lead to development of academic master plan

• Facilitates Task Force

What the Academic Master Plan is . . .

• An academic master plan (Learning Plan) provides a framework for decision making and resource allocation in the instructional areas of the college.

• The academic master plan allows other units of the college to develop plans that support achievement of the Learning Plan.

• The academic master plan supports teaching and learning.

• The academic master plan is a "30,000 foot level" look that provides future directions and goals for the institution.

What the Academic Master Plan is not . . .

• The academic master plan is not a means to reduce the budget although it should set clear priorities.

• The academic master plan is not a prioritized list of instructional programs.

Option 1

With this option most or all of the work is done by the Task Force and a draft academic master plan is then disseminated to the college community for feedback. The feedback is then reviewed and changes made to the academic master plan as appropriate. The Task Force takes responsibility for the content of the academic master plan, communication of the academic master plan, and sharing with the community how the feedback has been used. Representatives of key groups may be responsible for communicating with their constituents during the development of the academic master plan.

Key Components

• Organization of the Task Force

• Understanding of the college's strategic plan

• Strengths and weaknesses of instructional programs

• Identification and review of other pertinent planning documents and inputs

• Analysis and synthesis of strengths and weaknesses and other information

• Define strategic directions based on above

• Develop high level goals

• Design communication plan

• Publish draft academic master plan

• Receive and process feedback

• Complete academic master plan (Learning Plan)

Option 2

In this option the role of the Task Force is to guide and steer the process and analyze and synthesize work done by a larger representation of the college community. The Task Force is still responsible for content but they elicit this content from a variety of activities that bring in other voices.

Key Components

• Organization of Task Force

• Understanding the college's strategic plan

• Large scale event that brings together faculty and staff (number to be determined) to participate in a series of exercises resulting in rich data that contributes to development of the academic master plan by the Task Force.

• Use of Appreciative Inquiry methodology (Dream, Discover, Design, Deliver) that focuses on what is working and what the college wants more of.

• Task Force identifies and reviews other pertinent planning documents and inputs

• Task Force analyzes and synthesizes information from large scale event and other information

• Task Force defines strategic directions based on above

• Task Force develop high level goals

• Task Force publishes draft academic master plan

• Large scale event to review and comment on academic master plan

• Task Force processes feedback

• Task Force completes academic master plan (Learning Plan)

Meetings

The number of meetings required will depend on the option selected, the level of functioning of the Task Force, and the level of agreement. Outlined, only as a guideline, are the kinds of items that can be covered during meetings. Beyond the first meeting it is very difficult to predict what will happen. The sequence of events will probably hold true but the timing (number and length of meetings) is very dependent on the Task Force itself).

Meeting 1

Setting the Stage

• Ground rules for the Task Force

• Discussion and agreement on charter for Task Force

• Discussion and agreement on design

• Identification of information needed

• Timeline for completion of work

Meeting 2 (If Option 1 is selected)

• Development of planning assumptions

• Strengths and weaknesses analysis

• Develop strategic alternatives

• Identify priority issues

Subsequent Meetings

• Develop strategic directions and goals

• Develop key result areas

Meeting 2 (If Option 2 selected)

• Development of planning assumptions

• Design large scale event (approve process, content questions, attendees, etc.)

Subsequent Meetings

• Analyze information from event

• Develop strategic alternatives

• Identify priority issues 

• Develop strategic directions and goals

• Develop key result areas

A more specific plan of work with timelines and key dates is developed following preliminary decisions with and by college leaders about the process.

To find out more, email Ed Leach or call (480) 705-8200, x233.