De Anza College Strategic
Planning Template
Andrew LaManque, Ph.D.
De Anza College Research
Strategic Planning Template, 3-6-07
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Initiative Team Charge
“… the development of comprehensive
written plans for the Institutional Initiatives,
including the development of budget
requests.”
http://www.deanza.fhda.edu/strategicplan/2-13update.html
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Report Groups
Institutional Initiatives:
• Outreach
• Individualized Attention to Student Retention
and Success
• Cultural Competence
• Community Collaborations
“We therefore sought to combine some of the areas into major
initiatives that would simultaneously reflect the work already done
and provide a process for crafting actual budgets and personnel
proposals.”
http://www.deanza.fhda.edu/strategicplan/2-13update.html
Strategic Planning Template, 3-6-07
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Guideline
“A an indication of what future action is
required or recommended.”
http://www.allwords.com/word-guideline.html
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Initiative Report Guidelines
1) An overview of what we can expect the environment to look like in the next
3 years as it impacts the strategic initiative. This should include a reexamination of the assumptions used to develop the original TIs and areas of
focus related to the team.
2) In light of the re-examination, a brief restatement of our institutional goals,
as they relate to the strategic initiative.
3) Plans for achieving those goals, e.g. new outreach structure, faculty going
out with outreach team, etc. This section should include identification of
specific Commitments to Action (CTAs).
4) Identify the institutional infrastructure—the “foundations”— (Professional
Development, Curriculum, Communications, Facilities, Technology) needed
to support your plans. Detail specific resources as appropriate.
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Initiative Report Guidelines
5) A timeline for the activities over the next 3 years.
6) Identification of any additional process or outcome metrics that can be
used to measure the impact of the plan. This section should include the
original strategic planning metrics, with benchmarks.
7) An assessment plan. This section should include specific proposals for
assessing whether the plans have been successful.
8) Budget for the plans. This section should include annual expenditures
(2007-08, 2008-09, and 2009-10) needed to obtain the plans outlined in #3.
The budget should be itemized by division/departments, if relevant, and
whether the expenditure is for equipment, personnel, etc.
9) Communication activities for the plans (feedback of results).
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Template
A template (from French templet,
diminutive of temple, a part of a weaving
loom for keeping it stretched transversely)
is a form, mold, or pattern used as a guide
to making something.
http://searchwebservices.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid26_gci213117,00.html
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The Report / Initiative Plan
The Overall Initiative Plan
Action Plan 1
Action Plan 2
Action Plan 3
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Action Plan Components
a) Incorporates CTAs from ….
b) Foundational areas …
c) Timeline for the activities
d) Success of the … can be assessed by
e) Communicated via ….
f) Budget includes
g) Existing Resources
h) Challenges
i) Responsible Unit
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Report Components
I. Briefly set the context
A. Assumptions
B. Goals
II. Describe Action Plans in detail
III. Summarize the Action Plans
A. How do they fit into a coherent plan
B. Outline the rationale for your approach
IV.Specific institutional metrics
V. Mention other items important for this initiative
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Foundational Areas
I. Professional Development (for staff and
faculty)
II. Curriculum
III. Communication
IV.Facilities
V. Technology
“… there are several Foundational areas of institutional
development that were clearly identified through the planning
process as critical for the on-going life of the college and for the
successful implementation of any Institutional Initiatives.”
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Examples of Assumptions
 Commuting costs will continue taking a toll on
enrollment
 Student equity issues remain - diversity and
equity issues overlap
 The Latino/a 15-24 year old population will
grow rapidly over the next 10 years
 Funding inadequacy and uncertainty (benefits,
growth funding) will continue
 Job Corps enrollments will stabilize
 Distance Learning enrollments will increase
significantly
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Indicators of Success
 For each Action Plan, what are tangible ways
we can demonstrate success?
For example:
 Action - targeted mailings to specific zip codes
 Indicator of success – an increase in the
number of applicants from those zip codes
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Goals
 In context of the report, remind the reader of
previous strategic planning discussions.
 What is the overall purpose / goal of this
Initiative?
 Look to the TI’s (Vision / Areas of Focus),
where appropriate.
 For example:
 Increase retention of new and returning
target-group students through improved
linkage to services and improved
teaching http://www.deanza.fhda.edu/strategicplan/initiatives.html
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Strategic Planning Document
“We will compile and distribute the four
Institutional Initiative plans as a unified,
comprehensive strategic planning document
for the college. This strategic plan will
establish goals and the metrics according to
which we will judge our progress, and will
animate our budget and staffing proposals for
the coming year. It will also serve as the basis
of the annual State of the College report.”
http://www.deanza.fhda.edu/strategicplan/2-13update.html
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Questions
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