At the first meeting of the Strategic Plan Update Task Force we asked the members to share their experience with a “plan that worked”. Members shared a lot of examples of personal plans that they had made and what aspects worked well for them.  Although it was not initially our goal to record this information (we really just wanted to use it as an icebreaker), it really generated a great list of components of any good planning efforts.  Below is a list of some of the key components I was able to distill from the discussion.  My hope is that we can learn from them and use them to help guide our future planning efforts.  Please feel free to comment if there is something that I have missed.

Good planning should:

• Be done in “bite-sized” pieces that (if necessary) increase in complexity through time
• Be consistent and follow agreed upon “rules”
• Have specific goals in mind
• Have realistic timelines, but also be flexible to allow for adaption to change
• Be developed in context with the environment/community in which they exist
• Focus on what needs to get done
• Leave room for uncertainty
• Recognize and incorporate physical and personal connections with related plans and people
• Incorporate reminders and a physical component (its not all mental)
• Involve teamwork

Thanks everyone for sharing your stories and experiences!

Bellevue College students, faculty, staff, as well as community members are invited to participate in a review of three major college plans, which have been in development throughout the 2013-14 academic year. The Strategic, Academic, and Student Affairs plans posted on this site are currently in DRAFT form and available for comment May 12-23.

You may provide comments in several ways:

(1)  Post your feedback in the comments box at the end of each plan (see Draft Plans).  These will be visible for others to read.

(2)  Send your comments anonymously by using this survey link.

(3)  Download and print out a pdf version of the plan, write comments and return it to Tracy Biga MacLean (mail stop A202).

(4)  Bring your verbal or written comments to the Open House (May 19 or 20) or facilitated feedback sessions (May 20).

We look forward to your comments and suggestions!

Two representatives from Hill Group, a management consulting firm based in Pennsylvania, have completed a two-day visit to the BC campus to work with Student Services on a major planning project. John Talcott and Jordan Pallitto will focus on an approach that emphasizes equitable access and social justice. In addition to its work with Student Services, the Hill Group will coordinate closely with the Strategic Planning Committee so that planning is integrated campus-wide. Talcott and Pallitto will be on campus again twice this fall with anticipated completion of the Student Services plan during the Winter Quarter.

President Rule introduced the campus community to the Designing Our Future strategic planning process during his Opening Day remarks, Wednesday, September 18, 2013, and unveiled the arch showing the interrelationship of all campus plans.

This site will have information about the strategic planning process for 2013-14. Visit us often to find out how you can participate.