howard university libraries strategic planning retreat, 2005
TRANSCRIPT
HOWARD UNIVERSITYLIBRARIES
Strategic Planning
Retreat, 2005
Strategic Planning Retreat, 2005
Facilitators:
Mr. Dean Sirjue
Assistant Dean for Administration, Howard University School of Business
Mrs. Lucille Smiley
Assistant Director for Business Library and Staff Development
Participants:
Thirty-three (33) Library employees
Strategic Planning Retreat, 2005
OVER-VIEW OF RETREATDay 1:
Why Does the Library Need a Strategic Plan?
Planning Process
Reviewing/Editing the Vision, Mission, Values & Beliefs Statements
Strategic Planning Retreat, 2005
OVER-VIEW OF RETREAT
Day 1 (continued)
SWOT Survey
SWOT Survey Results Analysis
SWOT Survey Reports & Discussion
Strategic Planning Retreat, 2005
Day 2:
Reviewing of Proposed Goals and Strategies
Identifying Performance Indicators for Strategic Directions
Strategic Planning Retreat, 2005FORMAT
Presentations and Break-out Groups
Groups:
Divided into four sub-groups
Met separately to discuss assigned task
Reconvened and reported back to main group
Why Does the Library NeedA Strategic Plan?
To establish the Library’s direction
To enable the Library to revitalize itself
To provide a basis for transforming Library services and apply scarce resources to meet the evolving needs and demands of our clients
Why Does the Library NeedA Strategic Plan?
To enable the library to manage and create change
To focus our resources and efforts on accomplishing a set of strategic goals over a period of time
To enhance our effectiveness within the University’s intellectual and
cultural life
Why Does the Library NeedA Strategic Plan?
To re-enforce among the Library staff our commonly held values, and a shared sense of purpose and mission
To inform decision-making and enable action within a larger context that is known and understood by all
Strategic Plan Characteristics
The plan will be the starting point in ongoing process
The plan will be dynamic
The plan will be monitored to remain relevant and on target
Planning Process
Review the Library’s mission/vision/values
Environmental Scan
Review and discuss the various driving forces, or major influences that might affect the library’s
future.
Analyze the Situation
Conduct a “SWOT analysis” to “measure” the health of the library.
Planning Process
Establish Goals
Based on the analysis and alignment to the overall mission of the library, establish a set of goals that build on strengths to take advantage of opportunities, while building up weaknesses and warding off threats.
Planning Process
Establish Strategies to Reach Goals
The particular strategies (or methods to reach the
goals) we’ll choose depend on affordability, practicality and efficiency.
Planning Process
Establish Objectives to Achieve Goals
Our selected objectives should be timely and indicative of progress toward goals.
Planning Process
Associate Responsibilities and Time Lines with each Objective
Responsibilities will be assigned for implementation of the plan, and for achieving various goals and objectives. As far as practical, deadlines will be set for meeting each responsibility.
Planning Process
Write and Communicate a Plan Document
Acknowledge Completion and Celebrate Success
Reviewing/Editing the Vision, Mission, Values & Belief
StatementsMission:
Is it clearly understandable by people internal and external to the library?
Does it succinctly describe the purpose of the library?
Does it succinctly describe the overall type(s) of client served by the library?
Reviewing/Editing the Vision, Mission, Values & Belief
Statements
Mission: Does it provide sufficient focus and direction that the University Administration and library staff can reference the mission when making major decisions.
Reviewing/Editing the Vision, Mission, Values & Belief
StatementsMission:
Does it mention the particular results that the library tries to
help its clients to achieve ?
Does it convey strong, public image?
Reviewing/Editing the Vision, Mission, Values & Belief
Statements
Mission:Does it mention the communities in which the library operates ?
Does it stay within any legal requirements of the library?
Reviewing/Editing the Vision, Mission, Values & Belief
StatementsVision:
Is it clearly understandable by people internal and external to the library ?
Does it depict the desired future state of the library and its clients at some point in the future?
Reviewing/Editing the Vision, Mission, Values & Belief
StatementsVision:
Does it inspire members of the library and key stakeholders?
Does it depict the environment in which ourlibrary operates and how clients benefit fromthe library's services?
What additional attention might be needed to developing the vision statement?
SWOT Survey/Analysis
Survey:
Strengths
Excellent, Experienced Staff
Partnerships and Profile
Organization and Services
Scholarly Resources - Physical and Virtual
Infrastructure
SWOT Survey/Analysis
Survey:
Weaknesses
Space and Facilities
Staff Resources
Organization and Services
Systems and Technological Infrastructure
Funding
SWOT Survey/Analysis
Survey:Opportunities
Academic Plan
New Resources for Funding
Staff Renewal
Technology
SWOT Survey/Analysis
Survey:
Threats
Restrictive Copyright and Licensing Agreements
Alternative Information Providers
Rate of Change in Information Field and Information Technology
Funding and the Economy
SWOT Survey/Analysis
Analysis:Consider the following questions:
Generally, what conclusions can we draw about priorities for action from this SWOT analysis?
What should we do more of? What should we stop doing?
What should we do less of? What should westart doing?
What are the priorities for action in each area?
SWOT Survey/Analysis
Analysis:
Strengths
Which strengths must we capitalize on in order to reach our vision and how will we do so?
What leverage can be gained from our
strengths?
Weaknesses
Which weaknesses must we shore up in order to reach our vision and how will we do so?
What must we improve?
SWOT Survey/Analysis
Analysis:
Opportunities
Which opportunities should we seize in order to reach our vision and how should we go
about it?
What are the priorities for action?
Threats
What can we do to minimize the impact of these threats so that we can reach our vision?
What are the priorities for action?"
Reviewing of Proposed Goals and Strategies
Validate goal and strategies using the
following criteria:
Is the description of the goal/strategy understandable and explainable?
Is the goal/strategy within the legal character of the Library and the University?
Reviewing of Proposed Goals and Strategies
Validate goal and strategies using the
following criteria:
Is the goal/strategy in accordance to the mission, vision and values of the
library and the University?
Does the goal/strategy have predictable and acceptable effects on library customers?
Reviewing of Proposed Goals and Strategies
Validate goal and strategies using the
following criteria:
Does the goal/strategy consider the Library's strengths and opportunities, weaknesses and threats?
Does the description of the goal/strategy convey the types of activities associated with the goal (activities vs outcomes)?
Reviewing of Proposed Goals and Strategies
Validate goal and strategies using the
following criteria:
Does the description of the goal/strategy convey timing information?
Is the goal/strategy realistic and achievable?
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Goal 1: To strengthen library support for learning, scholarship and service
Goal 2: To continually improve the effectiveness of library service, administrative, and technological processes
Goal 3: To increase and enhance external support
Goal 4 : To enhance national and community service
OUR STRATEGIC PLAN IN
ACTION
http://www.howard.edu/Library/About/StrategicPlan.pdf