A Roadmap for Better Strategic Planning

Source: Bantilan, J. C., Deguito, P. O., Otero, A. S., Regidor, A. R., & Junsay, M. D. (2023). Strategic planning in education: A systematic review. Asian Journal of Education and Social Studies, 45(1), 40–54. https

LEARN Brief Credit: Dr. Chris Ballow, Dr. Jeannie Haubert

Overview:

The article, “Strategic Planning in Education: A Systematic Review,” examines literature from 2020–2022 to identify the challenges, processes, and impacts of strategic planning in K-12 and higher education. The review highlights three primary challenges: a lack of knowledge and skills among school leaders, improper conduct—often treating planning as a mere compliance exercise—and low stakeholder involvement due to complex language or lack of interest.

Key Insights

• Shift from compliance to strategy
  Treat strategic planning as an active management tool—not a bureaucratic requirement.
• Invest in targeted professional development
  Provide ongoing training for leaders and staff in strategic planning, data use, and implementation methods.
• Build data and tool mastery
  Equip teams to gather, analyze, and apply data effectively, including root cause analysis and risk assessment.
• Simplify communication
  Use clear, accessible language so all stakeholders understand the plan and their role in it.
• Strengthen stakeholder ownership
  Engage staff and community members meaningfully, clarify roles, and create collaborative spaces for input and decision-making.
• Align plans with reality
  Ensure strategies are grounded in actual resources, budgets, and environmental conditions.
• Link planning directly to budgeting
  Coordinate every goal with available financial and physical resources to support execution.
• Embed continuous monitoring
  Treat the plan as a living document—regularly track progress and use it to guide daily decisions and policies.

Action Steps:

A Basic Framework for a School District Strategic Planning Process

RespondAbility | Link effort to impact

Full Study:

https://www.academia.edu/104863548/Strategic_Planning_in_Education_A_Systematic_Review