Developing a strategic plan - Essay Example

Developing a Strategic Plan Institute Developing a Strategic Plan My role in developing this plan included strategies for improving student’s perception and satisfaction with food services and transportation. I proposed plan for La Roche to improve its food quality in terms of quality and price. I offered three action items to implement my strategic plan. The outcomes I was seeking with this idea was to provide a better selection of healthy meals. This included adding food to the menu. By offering a variety of food to the students, the Institute will have more attraction for the pupils.

Taking care of pupils that are on diets was also part of the plan. Similarly I made a plan for improving students’ perception and satisfaction with transportation. I included two action items; offering buses to commuter students and ensuring the schedule accuracy to facilitate the students and providing private buses and shuttles for the students of Pittsburgh and nearby shopping centers within a radius of 10 miles. This improvement can reduce car traffic and parking issues by 30% and increase student mobility by 75% to Pittsburgh downtown.

I did not use trial and error or any redundant old method just to fill in that space with a strategy. I built my strategy based on the information I collected through students’ reviews.Even though the strategic plan is complete and quite comprehensive I would like to add a few things especially regarding public safety. The three action items are very helpful. For instance, they publicize encourage enrollment in E2 campus emergency notification system. Similarly, there are other programs offered under the same category but one thing that I feel missing is the follow-up.

There should be a measure or any form of tracking the performance of implementing the strategy. This is to see whether the implemented strategy is giving the output that it is supposed to deliver. Moreover, it is only encouraging students to take part in self-defense programs offered on campus. I believe it should be mandatory for students to take basic training programs for the self-defense. It is quite likely that several students would not want to join but by involving them in the process of constructing the course the program can be more inclusive and productive in the interest of all.

This is the first time for me to learn how to develop a strategic plan. The entire process from the beginning to the end has been very helpful and educating for me. The key lessons I learned from this process is how to incorporate the vision and a mission in a plan. I have realized that developing a plan does not mean theoretical paperwork. The strategy is meant to implement and deliver the results. I have learned to use precise information and how to build a consensus on the shared goals and the targets that the plan is supposed to achieve.

Timing is crucial, and I have learned that one cannot just make vague plans. There have to be milestones and deadlines if the program is supposed to be effective. In addition, I had no idea that one must take into consideration the beneficiaries as well as the stakeholders as a crucial element of the planning process. This is a part of the framework for strategic planning and also defines the phases. Ive also learned that a plan has to be extremely realistic and practical. Therefore taking students responses and feedback about what to change in the Institute was paramount.

Making changes that do not deliver or bring improvement in the Institute is a complete waste of time.