Strategic Planning at GVSU
GVSU is a member of the Society for Colleges and University Planning (SCUP), and they define strategic planning as: a deliberate, disciplined effort to produce fundamental decisions and actions that shape and guide what an institution is, what it does, and why it does it.
GVSU's strategic plan provides guidance for institutional decisions, both long-term and day-to-day, and makes sure that decisions and operations:
- Carry out GVSU’s mission, vision, and values.
- Comply with mandates and regulations of government, accrediting bodies, etc.
- Keep the institution operationally and fiscally healthy, now and in the future.
Why is Strategic Planning Important?
We live and work in rapid change, uncertainty, and complexity. As Charles Handy observed in The Age of Paradox, “We’ve got to live with chaos and uncertainty, to try to be comfortable with it and not to look for certainty where we won’t get it.” A strategic plan helps us navigate that reality by grounding us in a shared vision, unifying us through enduring commitments, and focusing our efforts on a manageable set of strategic priorities. With clear moves, actions, and steps, the plan provides stability and adaptability, allowing us to stay true to our purpose while responding with agility to new challenges and opportunities.
Key Component of Strategic Planning at GVSU
Our strategic plan provides a clear and coordinated guide for advancing our future. At its foundation is a vision that expresses what we aspire to achieve together. Building on that vision, the plan establishes a small number of commitments, the enduring promises that anchor our direction. Each commitment is advanced through strategic priorities, the high-level areas of emphasis that matter most for long-term success. Priorities are then carried forward through moves and actions that describe how progress will be made, and through specific steps that make the work tangible. These elements help align people and resources around shared aspirations, ensuring that day-to-day decisions remain connected to our larger direction.