Why Higher Education Needs Strategic Planning Brief History of Strategic Planning Steps in a Strategic Planning Process and a Strategic Planning Process Model Unique Aspects of Strategic Planning in Higher Education

This article provides an overview of the strategic planning process. It is intended to help you understand the concept of strategic planning, the need for strategy in higher education, and the dynamics of the university-based strategic planning. It includes a brief history of strategic planning, emerging challenges in higher education, basic models and steps of a strategic planning process, adapting strategic planning to unique needs of higher education, and a look into the strategic planning at the California State University system. A glossary of terms and an annotated bibliography are included