GLOSSARY OF TERMS
In Chronological/Hierarchical Order
Term
Definition
A process that encompasses a series of strategies in support of attainment of one or more objectives.
Planning
Strategic Planning
External Environmental Scan
Refers to a working document
The process through which institutions confront and frame their major strategic decisions
Typically, the scan includes variables like demographics, economic and budgetary issues, current research.
Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunity, Threats: During this analysis, planners can use a variety of assessments, or methods to "measure" the health of the organization.
• Strengths and Weaknesses are factors which are under the organization's direct control, or are ‘internal’ to the organization.
• Opportunities and Threats are factors which are not under the organization's direct control, or are ‘external’ to the organization.
SWOT Analysis
Mission
Clarifying the essence of an organization’s existence, it describes the needs an organization was created to fill and answers the basic question of why it exists.
Desired future state
Vision
Sometimes called a picture of the University in the future, it is the inspiration, the framework for strategic planning.
Core belief
Result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end.
Value(s)
Goals are specific accomplishments (output) that must be accomplished in total, or in some combination, in order to achieve some larger, overall result preferred from the system,
for example, the mission of an organization.
Goal(s)
Strategy(ies)
Objective(s)
Task(s)
Resources
Budget
Measurement
Assessment, Evaluation and Control
Goals should be written in S.M.A.R.T. format to allow for an objective assessment of if or when they have been reached.
S – Specific, M – Measurable, A – Attainable, R – Realistic, T – Time-based
The methods or processes required in total, or in some combination, to achieve the goals.
Concrete and measurable descriptions of actions to be taken in the near future to lend to successful goals
Are specific accomplishments that must be accomplished in total, or in some combination, to achieve the goals in the plan. Objectives are usually "milestones" along the way when
implementing the strategies.
Individuals are assigned various specific actions required to implement the plan. If the scope of the plan is very small, tasks and activities are often essentially the same.
Resources include the people, materials, technologies, money, etc., required to implement the strategies, processes, or tasks.
A financial plan, which should be aligned with the institution’s goals and priorities (which presumably are stated within the strategic plan).
Refers to the act or process of ascertaining the extent, dimensions, or quantity of something
Refers to an appraisal of the quality of a thing
This is where the University:
Establishes its acknowledgement of success
Makes necessary changes
Performs measurements
Reports on progress to stakeholders and sponsors
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