Action Planning

Assess, Plan and Perform

Melissa Spears
Business Advisory Services
Action Planning is a Plan with Purpose

The Action Plan engagement enables executive

leaders at colleges and universities to better
achieve specific institutional goals and
objectives by aligning technology with the
institution’s strategic vision.

Reactive Tactical Strategic Transformational

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The Process
Assess
• Review Strategic
Plan
• Web-based Surveys
• Interview Business
Unit Leaders

Institutional Organize
Implement • Identify Business
• Complete Tasks Effectiveness Needs
• Measure Results • Map to Strategic Plan
Analysis • Compile Effort/Cost

Prioritize
• Potential Impacts
• Cost/Benefits
• Quantification
Information Gathering Process
Information Gathering Process
Results, Findings and Recommendations

UNIVERSITY GOALS ELLUCIAN RECOMMENDATIONS

ATTRACT, ENROLL, RETAIN, AND GRADUATE EVEN MORE HIGHLY COMPETENT UNDERGRADUATE, GRADUATE, AND
PROFESSIONAL STUDENTS
Extend use of program planning and degree audit to empower
PRIORITY
Strengthen the advising program advisors and students to access information and evaluate progress
1.3
toward degree utilizing online tools and services.
PRIORITY Expand opportunities for student and family Update configuration of the portal and extend utilization of current
1.6 communications system functionality to automate notices and alerts to students.
PRIORITY Increase self service offerings aimed at engaging students utilizing
Improve student life, retention, and services
1.8 the portal.
MAINTAIN AND STRENGTHEN THE UNIVERSITY’S ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Develop and implement a comprehensive graduation Include extended utilization of degree audit, program planning, and
PRIORITY
enhancement program in order to improve retention student engagement via the portal in the overall graduation
2.3
and graduation rates enhancement program.
FURTHER ENHANCE AND DEVELOP OUTSTANDING FACILITIES

Upgrade solutions to the latest version allowing for enhanced

utilization of functionality and technology advancements and extend
PRIORITY Continue to upgrade technological infrastructure to
4.4 meet academic and university needs system training offerings to better utilize resources. Improve
reporting capabilities to provide management and staff access to
data for information driven decision making.
Decision Making Criteria

This chart represents the criteria

we use when making
recommendations.
Everything that we recommend
aligns with one of these
objectives or it’s not
recommended.

We ask…does the solution?

• Increase Service
• Decrease Cost(s)
• Increase Revenue
• Increase Productivity
Timeline for Action

Example: Based on the findings Ellucian recommends the following optimization timeline to support these projects. This
timeline is a living, breathing document, and the project manager will work closely with all key stakeholders and leadership to
adjust as necessary to ensure institutional success.
Action Plan Engagement Timeline
Start
• Executive Sponsors connect
with Business Advisor
• Set dates for assessment
activities
Week 7
• Conduct onsite discovery
with stakeholders
• Meet onsite with Executive
Sponsors
Week 3
• Confirm onsite agenda
• Launch online survey for
stakeholders
Week 8
• Business Advisor contacts
Executive Sponsors to
review high level findings
Week 5
• Close online survey
• Confirm logistics for onsite
visit
Weeks 9-12
• Finalize Action Plan
Recommendations
• Confirm date and time for
onsite executive presentation
• Onsite executive
presentation
• Discussion of next steps for
Action Plan launch
 “If the Action Planning process had not
been adopted by the college, they would
not have been able to handle the
increased capacity due to the substantial
enrollment increase.”

Dr. Marion Paden, VP of Enrollment Management

Oklahoma City Community College
Is Action Planning right for your campus?

 Does your institution utilize your strategic plan to drive business

decisions?
 Is technology considered as a primary contributor to achieving
institutional strategic initiatives?
 How long has it been since you conducted a comprehensive
assessment of your administrative systems?
 Considering higher education best practices and functionality that
exists in your administrative system, would you rate the current
level of utilization as low, medium, or high by users?
 THE END