Strategic Planning
Model for strategic planning to promote
institutional improvement
During the summer of 2000, CCC’s President, Thomas Jordan, launched an effort to streamline the institution’s strategic planning process. The process began during a summer retreat including faculty, administrators, District Governing Board members, Foundation members and an outside facilitator.
The effort was initiated with a critical review of the institution’s mission. After much effort and input from across the College community, new statements of vision, mission, purposes, and values were adopted.
The next step involved redefining the strategic planning process to make certain it was a useful, guiding tool in planning the institution's future. Several important guidelines were established in creating this process:
The process must link assessment, planning and budgeting
The process must be aimed toward on-going improvement
The process must be inclusive
The steps below, and the accompanying model, reflect these guidelines as the institution continues the implementation of its strategic planning process.
Coconino Community College’s “Model for Strategic Planning to Promote Institutional Effectiveness” is a rolling three year plan. Each year the College follows the steps below to revise the plan and extend it for an additional year. At the heart of the process is on-going assessment and analysis to promote institutional improvement. This includes assessment of both student learning and institutional effectiveness. Just as the institution’s strategic plan is a living document, so is the process itself. Each year, the College will assess the effectiveness of its planning processes at its summer retreat.
Where are we today?
This years summer retreat will be held in September 2006 and will explore accomplishments under the current strategic plan, a review of current trends in higher education, identification of strengths/challenges, and we will go through the process of developing affinity diagrams to identify future general goal areas for the college. These will be used for future strategic planning opportunities after we have greater clarity on future funding for the college.
Steps in the Process
The following steps in CCC’s Model for Strategic Planning to Promote Institutional Effectiveness represent the efforts of many individuals across the institution:
Publish Annual Assessment Report
(RESPONSIBLE: Office of Institutional Research & Assessment)
Office of Institutional Research & Assessment Prepares and Publishes Annual Report. The report is a compilation of the results of assessment and research activities conducted throughout the institution during the past year. The report also contains a section which provides the assessment data relating to each of the institution's Core Indicators (CI).
Annual Report Distributed Throughout College
Develop planning themes and preliminary budget assumptions
(RESPONSIBLE: Strategic Planning Team)
Appoint Strategic Planning Team
Conduct Summer Retreat
Review Core Indicators (conducted annually)
Review Vision, Mission, Purposes & Values modification or change every three years.
Identify & Communicate Planning Themes based on analysis of the Annual Assessment Report and input received at the annual retreat. The president communicates the identified planning themes to all College employees at convocation.
Vice President of Business and Administrative Services Makes Revenue and Growth Assumptions for the Upcoming Year
Review/revise strategic plan
(RESPONSIBLE: Strategic Planning Team)
Strategic Planning Team Develops Revised Strategic Goals/Objectives the team identifies approximately 6-8 broad strategic goals for the institution. Each goal has several supporting objectives established under the direction of the individual PAC member responsible for that strategic goal. Objectives incorporate the following: (a) Benchmark—an assessment measure to assure that we have done what we set out to do; (b) Target Date; and (c) Responsible Party.
Circulate for Input
Team Reviews Input and Adopts Preliminary Revisions
Distribute budget allocations to president’s advisory council
(RESPONSIBLE: Vice President of Business and Administrative Services)
Vice President of Business and Administrative Services advises each President’s Advisory Council member of their respective
budget allocations for the coming year budget allocations based on revised Strategic Plan and available funds.
Develop departmental goals, objectives, and budgets
(RESPONSIBLE: All departments)
Individual Departments Develop Goals, Objectives and Budgets in Accordance with the Strategic Plan
Evaluate and adopt budgets
(RESPONSIBLE: PAC/Board)
The Strategic Planning Team Evaluates and Approves the Final Strategic Plan and Budget for Submissions to PAC, the President and the District Governing Board for Final Adoption the first reading of the budget occurs in April; the second reading occurs in May with final adoption in June at the District Governing Board meeting.
Implement revised strategic plan
(RESPONSIBLE: All College Employees)
All College employees implement the revised strategic plan
Mission, Vision, Purpose, and Core Values (pdf)
Strategic Planning Directions (pdf)
Strategic Plan (pdf)