Scenario planning is a tool which can help organisations and people to think about, and plan for, the long-term future. In basic terms, it involves creating a number of in-depth scenarios (stories), each of which tells of a different possible future for an organisation or issue, and considering how each different future might influence…

Reports the development by the Public Library Association of a planning manual, "A Planning Process for Public Libraries." The manual outlines an efficient seven-step planning process that will enable planning committees to avoid time-consuming procedural investigations and concentrate on critical analysis and recommendations for change.…

The diverse planning approaches used by the five institutions of higher education described in the previous five articles (HE 527 556-560) discuss the role of differences in institutional cultures and issues. Such differences must be taken into account in the design of the planning process, implementing plans, and evaluating benefits. (DB)

Briefly summarizes topics discussed at the annual conference of the Canadian Library Association, including the goals and objectives of the organization, the findings of a commission which examined the decision making processes of the association, and the establishment of a task force to review association publications. (CLB)

Presents a model which merges the concepts of entrepreneurship with those of strategic planning to create a library management system. Each step of the process, including needs assessment and policy formation, strategy choice and implementation, and evaluation, is described in detail. (CLB)

Planning maintenance operations for the seasons ahead results in financial benefits. (Author/MLF)

Describes the activities at the annual meeting of the Medical Library Association, including adoption of a strategic plan for the association and discussions of access to health care information, the impact of information technologies, and medical ethics. (CLB)

Guidelines are offered for carrying out a long-range campus improvement plan. (MLF)

Strategic planning enables colleges to direct discretionary dollars into high-impact areas that can enhance critical core activities, improving output. When the institution can disinvest financial resources in weak or noncritical core areas and redirect them through careful budgeting, it improves its chances for success. (MSE)

Offers a nine-step program to colleges and universities for selecting a consultant, including: (1) deciding what is needed; (2) evaluating in-house skills; (3) using what is available; (4) conducting research; (5) asking consulting firms key questions; (6) evaluating the information; (7) interviewing people; (8) selecting the consultant; and (9)…

Describes the process which was used at Emporia State University in the development of a five-year plan. Included are a discussion of the factors and conditions which instigated the planning, the process used, faculty involvement, and the components which were included in each department's plan. (Author/SJL)

This article presents reasons for and against in-house master planning of major college campus facilities. Examples of the in-house planning process are from Mesa State College (Colorado). Guidelines offered for in-house planning include: plan for interruptions, plan for change, identify areas where additional help is needed, get consistent data…

Offers guidelines to help colleges and universities ensure a course of telecommunications network growth and renewal, provide continuous network upgrades, and maintain a position of flexibility. Discusses focuses on principles that guide network planning and design; how to apply principles to standard building blocks and network design; voice,…

Presents the steps used in developing a marketing plan for an abstracting and indexing service, based on the operating experiences of BioSciences Information Service. Organizational activities, measurements to be applied to the plan, media choices involved, and allocation of marketing funds are discussed. (Author/CLB)

A campus-wide site plan looks at the campus as a whole and defines immediate and long-range problems and potential. Text and photographs illustrate site development at McClennan Community College in Waco, Texas, and at the University of Toledo and the University of Dayton, both in Ohio. (MLF)