Planning, review and quality enhancement

This diagram illustrates the flow of various elements during planning and review.

Annotations to planning and improvement cycle

University mission, defining features and objectives

Articulated in the University Strategic Plan, developed with an awareness of external environment and the range of client/stakeholder expectations

External environment

At University level this refers to the environment within which the University operates including increasing globalisation, Federal and State legislation, funding sources, disciplinary trends and competitor behaviour.

At Organisational Unit level it refers to the environment both within and without the University that directly impacts on the operations of that Unit, such as internal relationships, disciplinary trends and competitor behaviour.

Stakeholder expectations

In higher education these will include students, staff, parents, employers, the government, the community, professional associations, graduates. Not all stakeholders will have the same needs and expectations.

Planning

Clearly developed objectives (desired outcomes)
Identification of clients and response to their needs/expectations
Awareness and appropriate response to the external environment
Understanding existing and desired positioning
Involve relevant stakeholders (staff, students, external organisations or individuals) in formulation of objectives and strategies
Ensure objectives are published and accessible to all, to foster a shared vision
Regularly review plans in the light of the results for targets and performance indicators

Implementation

Management responsibilities and accountabilities clearly defined
Strategies, actions, processes designed to achieve objectives (the link between objectives and outcomes)
Supported by policies, procedures and implementation plans
Identification of resource implications ensuring that resources follow strategy
Identification and empowerment of staff responsible for implementation
Supported by training and documentation of key processes
Scope for innovation and excellence

Outcomes

Have objectives been achieved?
How is this known?
Specification of qualitative and quantitative performance indicators or targets related to each objective
For each objective specified in planning what were the results?

Monitoring and evaluation

Cycle of reviews - organisation units, courses and subjects/units, thematic reviews
Using targets and performance indicators consider match between desired and actual outcomes
Include stakeholder feedback amongst indicators

Response

Interpretation and response to performance indicators including possible modifications to strategies, actions, processes.

Communication

Report to all stakeholders on outcomes, interpretation and responses to performance indicators
Recognition of achievements
Communicate responses back into planning cycle