Program Planning
With its revision in 2008, the focus of Program Planning shifts from a retrospective process to more active planning for the department, college, school, or program(s) under review, to put in motion a plan for developing excellence. The process helps connect each unit’s planning to the University’s strategies contained in Pacific Rising, 2008-2015.
Program Planning considers how well departments align with the University’s values, aspirations, and commitments; in turn, departmental goals help shape University planning. Program Planning is not intended to focus on correcting resource deficiencies of a program, making incremental decisions regarding faculty or staff positions, or as a substitute for administrative decisions to be made by unit heads or executive administration. Program Planning is not an unrestrained opportunity to request additional resources; however, the outcome could result in the allocation of additional resources to achieve strategic objectives for the unit.
In general, Program Planning uses the following approach:
IDEAL --> REAL --> GAP --> MAP
IDEAL -- Paint a picture of the best possible future. What are the optimal programs, services, and outcomes? How does the unit pursue these? What environmental conditions affect unit strategy?
REAL – Using assessment, data collection, and subjective considerations, determine what is really happening now. What outcomes are being achieved?
GAP -- How far is the actual from the intended? In what specific areas are these gaps most significant? What gaps may be created by future vision?
MAP -- Which gaps are most critical to close? How will this be accomplished? What specific actions and resources are required? What aspects of the ideal must be implemented? How?
