Strategic Planning and Assessment Cycle
The Strategic Planning and Assessment Cycle (SPAC) ensures strategic stewardship of the University of Montana. As a planning, budgeting, implementation, and assessment cycle, the structured process represents an annual mechanism to continually refine and validate the University’s strategic direction.
The process integrates ongoing strategic planning, thoughtful updating of the Priority for Action strategies, strategy-driven budgeting, effective and timely implementation, and rigorous assessment. Both top down and bottom up, the Strategic Planning and Assessment Cycle draws upon the shared governance strength of the University of Montana as well as upon the reservoir of expertise across the institution. The annual process is integrated, transparent, iterative and responsive to changing conditions.
UM's refreshed annual strategic planning, budgeting, implementation, and assessmement cycle includes strong coordination with the University Leadership Council and University Senates. Find an accessible Word document that explains the Strategic Planning and Assessment Cycle graphic here.
Planning (UPC): Strategic thinking that provides for collaborative and responsive direction setting for the University, updating of Priority for Action strategies, as well as data analysis that informs the alignment of resources with the institution’s strategic direction.
Budgeting (UBC): Budgeting processes that ensure alignment of resources with institutional strategy, as well as fiscal management that provides for sustainability and strategic growth.
Implementation (ULC + Senates): Principled, disciplined processes that execute on strategic Priorities for Action through distributed responsibility, tracking of progress, and necessary adjustments.
Assessment (UAAC): Continuous and diligent assessment of those activities that will allow for institutional effectiveness.
