The objective of this booklet is to present an integrated picture of the philosophy, process, and practices of strategic planning in an organizational context. It is based on the premise that planning includes the design of a desired future as well as effective ways of bringing it about. Specifically, the document illustrates a planning…

The process and experiences associated with strategic planning in a recently decentralized administrative information systems environment are described. Background information on why Virginia Commonwealth University decentralized the authority, responsibility, and accountability for the delivery of administrative information services to major…

This guide to whole life planning for people with disabilities describes whole life planning as a person-centered way of assisting people with disabilities to plan for their future. Whole life planning relies on the involvement of a small group of committed people who are willing to act as advocates and resources to the focal person. The manual…

The ordinary conduct of school business is accompanied today by risks that were rare or unknown a few decades ago. This ERIC Digest in Spanish discusses how risk management, a concept long used by corporate decision makers, can help school boards and administrators conserve their districts' assets. Risk management is a coordinated effort to…

This report reviews the decision by the University of California's Board of Regents to create a new general campus near Merced to open in fall 2005 with 1,000 full-time-equivalent students (expected to grow to 5,000 FTES by fall 2010). The report reviews the planning history of the proposed campus, discusses the University of California's…

Effective decision-making depends upon true communication among decision-makers. Futurists should develop fundamental thinking skills such as the ability to formulate good questions, consider alternative points of view, and set short- and long-range goals. By example and through education, the "tools of futuristics" can be employed usefully in…

Planning is defined, and ways to plan and reasons for university planning are reviewed. A 10-step bottom-up planning process is outlined. It is suggested that planning aids communication between faculty and administrators, provides warning of problems, and improves allocation of resources. (MLW)

Planning for the distant future should be an integral part of current decision making. (JD)

Four university joint big decisions committees (JBDCs) were investigated to learn why they were established, their relationship with the traditional governance structure, functions within standard models of campus organization, and impact on institutional planning. The JBDC is seen as a growing governing force on campus, especially during periods…

This article responds to Dolby (1993) who urged parents of young prelingually, profoundly deaf children to contact those (such as prelingually deaf adults) knowledgeable about long-term effects of educational decisions. Although agreeing with this point, the article notes a destructively patronizing attitude of the education system toward parents…

This booklet is a guide to the planning process for members of governing boards of institutions of higher education. Generally, it sees the role of the board in planning as ensuring that planning takes place and insisting that plans are used regularly for decision making. The publication discusses the following five specific tasks related to this…

This booklet, intended for trustees of institutions of higher education, offers some instruction on the principles of risk management. Introductory information provides a definition of risk management, which is seen as a planning and strategic function, not solely as a financial or safety assessment. Individual sections then address the following…

This bibliography of public policy and general futures literature is intended primarily for educators and educational policy makers in Canada and particularly those who are responsible for shaping education in Ontario. The bulk of the entries are items published in Canada and America between 1970 and 1980. Also included are some selected items…

Describes the emphasis of decision support systems as being on the decision making process itself, rather than the flow of information; reviews the uses of microcomputers in libraries in recent years; and compares five decision modeling software packages. An appendix lists the name, manufacturer's address, price, and hardware requirements of each…

Offers a sequential model of futures research techniques that is applied to a hypothetical situation to indicate its applicability as a means by which public relations professionals can approach the task of saying today what may happen tomorrow. (SRT)