Strategic Planning in Public Higher Education: Management Tool or Publicity Platform? (original) (raw)

This study extends previous research through analysis of strategic plans of eight universities in a state system to determine if the strategic planning process and the plans meet basic strategic planning precepts. Additionally, one of the universities’ plans is more deeply investigated for further insight into the quality of the process and the plan. Our conclusions are consistent with those of previous research that strategic planning is not utilized in higher education to its fullest benefit in accordance with strategic planning concepts or in a manner designed to aid continuous improvement. The weakest link in the plans studied involves a consistent lack of review and analysis that could be used to improve future performance. In fact, we conclude that strategic planning in higher education appears to be serving a purpose other than a management technique designed to guide administrators in directing their organizations to become more effective and efficient. We further conclude t...