The University of Houston-Clear Lake
ADSU 8130 Strategic Planning and Systems Alignment
Initial Planning Team: Freedman, Kajs, Hicks, Lash
Catalog Description
(Prerequisite: ADSU 8130) (3 Semester Hours) (Field experience is required)
Analysis of systems theory and planning models for complex organizations, and the alignment of planning to resources and assessment.
I. Purpose of the Course
Addresses components of systems theory, comprehensive strategic planning and modeling, and organizational alignment. Topics include developing systems analysis, strategic and unit-level planning, contingency planning, integration of planning horizontally and vertically, and alignment of planning with resources and assessment.
The primary purposes of this course are to provide students with an appreciation and understanding of the change process and its implication for educational planning. Additionally, students will understand the processes of data collection, proactive planning, implementation and evaluation of strategic planning from a systems perspective. Students will be given the opportunity to engage in planning, problem solving and decision-making through case studies, readings, and simulations.
II. Objectives of the Course
Upon completion of the course students should be able to:
- Identify and evaluate strategies to initiate change in education from a systems perspective;
- Identify and understand the effects of formal and informal systems on the change process
- Assess and analyze education policy issues strategically;
- Demonstrate the ability to assume the leadership role in a strategic planning process at the district level;
- Develop a model for strategic planning for an educational organization;
- Compare and contrast characteristics of for-profit and non-profit organizations on such dimensions as funding sources, stakeholders, marketing, decision making and stakeholders;
III. Text and Additional Reading Resources
Texts (Required)
Bryson, John M.: Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations (Revised Edition), Jossey-Bass Publishers (1995).
Weinberg, Gerald. An Introduction to General Systems Thinking. Dorset House, 2001.
Albert-László Barabási. Linked: The New Science of Networks, Perseus Publishing, 2002
Texts (Optional)
Uchida, Donna; Cetron, Marvin, & McKenzie, Floretta. Preparing Students for the 21st Century. American Association of School Administrators, 1996.
McCune, Shirley D. Guide to Strategic Planning for Educators. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 1986.
Marsh, David D. Preparing Our Schools for the 21st Century. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 1999.
Council of 21. Preparing Schools and School Systems for the 21st Century. American Association of School Administrators, 1999.
Bradford, Robert W., and J. Peter Duncan. Simplified Strategic Planning. Chandler, 2000.
Doyle, Michael. How to Make Meetings Work. Jove, 1993.
Weisbord, Marvin R, and Sandra Janoff. Future Search. Berrett-Koehler, 1995.
Collins, Jim. Good to Great. Harper Collins, 2001.
Kotter, John. Leading Change. Harvard, 1996.
Bridges , William . Managing Transitions. Addison-Wesley, 1991.
IV. Prerequisite Skills for the Course
None
V. Course Expectations and Grading Criteria (Assignments and % of points)
Assignments (Description):
Student Presentations (20%)
Objective: To demonstrate the process, opportunities, and challenges associated with strategic planning in the public, nonprofit and business sectors. There are two parts for this assignment. Each student will present his or her findings to the class in a 10 minute presentation. You will need to prepare and distribute a one-page summary to your classmates.
- Choose an individual in an organization who has been a part of a strategic planning process and interview him or her. What was his or her experience? Was it a positive or negative one? How were they affected?
- Select two readings on strategic planning or systems theory. Discuss them with the class as they apply to your academic aspirations.
Short Papers (45%)
Case #1 Objective: To critique a strategic plan. There will be numerous plans to choose from. What are its strengths and weaknesses? Can you tell who was involved in creating it? Is the mission statement articulated clearly? Does the organization identify its own goals and strategies to achieve them?
Case #2 Objective: To design a systems model. Based on the strategic plan you assessed, design a systems model to explain the plan. Examine the delta between the reality of the current situation and the proposed future.
Case #3 Objective: To design a planning model for a system. Using a real-world district, design a planning and change model.
Final Synthesis Paper (35%)
This paper should draw upon what you have learned from the guest speakers, readings, and class discussions. How would you structure the planning process? What challenges might exist, in terms of organizational structure and behavior? How would you ensure that implementation occurs in a way that is both constructive and productive? How would you evaluate the effectiveness of the process and the resulting plan?
Each student is expected to present a 30 minute overview of the projects they have selected.
Class Attendance and Participation: Required
Student Accommodations Under the Americans with Disabilities Act:
Refer to UHCL Catalog
Academic Honesty Policy:
Refer to UHCL Catalog
VI. Week-to-Week Schedule
Week 1: What is Strategic Planning?
Reading: Bryson chapter 1
A Beginner's Guide to Strategic Planning (Barry)
Week 2: The Dynamics of Strategic Planning and Systems
Reading: Bryson chapter 2
Weinberg Ch. 1-2
Week 3: Starting a Strategic Planning Effort
Reading: Bryson chapters 3, 4
Weinberg: Complete text
Presentation 1 Due
Week 4: Assessing the Environment and Identifying Strategic Issues
Reading: Bryson chapter 5
All Barabasi
Presentation 2 Due
Guest Speaker: Planning Director
Week 5: Identifying Strategic Issues
Reading: Bryson chapter 6
Case #1 Due
Guest Speakers: Superintendents and Board members
Week 6: Adopting Strategies to Help Create a Vision for the Future
Reading: Bryson chapters 7, 8
Case #2 Due
Week 7: Implementing Your Strategies I
Reading: Bryson chapters 9
Case #3 due
Week 8: Implementing Your Strategies II
Reading: Bryson chapters 10, 11
Guest Speaker: Change Theorist
Week 9: Moving from Planning to Change Management
Guest Speaker: Panel on planning and change in education
Week 10: Systems Analysis and Change Theory
Guest Speaker:
Week 11: Discussion of projects
Week 12: Discussion of Projects
Week 13: Discussion of Projects
Final Papers Due
