Creating Priority Issues Darren Blagburn Institutional Effectiveness blagdarr@isu.edu or x1846

ISU’s Strategic Planning Process 1. Gather Facts 2. SWOT Analysis 3. Review Inputs 4. Define Vision 5. Define Mission 6. Define Core Themes 7. Develop Strategies 9. Complete Assessments 10. Review & Adjust 8. Develop Measures This slide simply shows the process the Strategic Planning Working Group followed. By gathering facts we identified who the Customers, stakeholders, and competitors are. Defined Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats then used the latter to identify problem statements (review inputs) Created Vision, Mission and Value Statements Developed Priority issues, action plans, and matrices to support those issues Annually evaluate and adjust the action plans if they are not accomplishing the objectives.

Outcomes- Priority Issues Class on Process for developing Priority Issues- 15 mins Discuss the looped and grouped categories-15 mins Define the Priority Issues-60 mins Vote on the Priority Issues-30 mins

Priority Issues-What Are They? Creating priority issues is the development of categories focused on weaknesses, opportunities, or threats that have a high, long- term affect on the Institution Weaknesses Strengths Threats Opportunities

Categories Looped an grouped the like items then created neutral headers- People Academics Faculty and Staff Services Access and Opportunity Environment Relationships/Perceptions

How are Priority Issues Composed Definition For Priority Issues Should say: What is wrong, threatening, opportune Why it matters Should not: Describe a cause or solution Assign blame to a person

How are Priority Issues Composed Define the issue (examples) Priority Issue 1- Marketing/Branding: ISU’s brand is not readily recognized throughout the state and region to potential students and partners, and where it is, it does not generate excitement and a positive emotion in the local communities even with continual University marketing. Priority Issue 2- Faculty and Staff (Managing Centers for Learning): ISU’s Centers for Learning do not receive the necessary autonomy that would allow them the ability to grow and establish themselves within their communities as a local educational alternative.

Topics for Creating Priority Issues Academics- Group 1 1. Dual Credit 2. Curriculum-based outreach Marketing/Recruiting- Group 2 3. Recruiting 4. Branding Resources- Group 3 5. Centers for Learning funding 6. Classroom technology and infrastructure Leadership/ Communication-Group 4 7. Lack of communication, transparency and inclusion ISU Relationships- Group 4 8. High schools

Topics for Creating Priority Issues Access/Opportunity- Group 5 9. Professional development programs 10. Student Retention Environment (Physical)- Group 6 11. Managing aging facilities External Perceptions/ Relationships- Group 6 12. Identify Crisis External Perceptions/ Relationships- Group 7 13. Community outreach 14. Community perception ISU Relationships-Group 8 15. Alum 16. Community partnerships

Prioritizing Priority Issues 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Vote Each individual gets three votes as their top three priorities. The top five become the Priority Objectives for the University ISU’s Top 5 Priority Issues

Priority Issues Questions?