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From Strategic Intent to Strategy: The "Gap"
ARTICLE

Community College Journal Volume 76, Number 2, ISSN 1067-1803

Abstract

"Strategic planning results in plans, not strategies." This admission by Gary Hamel, one of the foremost business thinkers of the times, sums up the dilemma of many institutions of higher education. While they each have a mission supported by a strategic plan, many don't seem to have a demonstrable strategy. An institution's strategy is not synonymous with the intentions reflected in a strategic plan. It reflects, rather, the actual directives and policies that drive decisions enacted daily on campus. Ideally, institutional strategy is designed to support the achievement of strategic intentions, but often this linkage becomes disconnected as institutions evolve and grow. This suggests that the challenges facing the president and cabinet of an institution have little to do with articulating the strategic plan, but a lot to do with how to close the gap between mission, strategic plan, and the realities of daily life on campus. When thinking about how to close the gap between strategic intent and reality, technology invariably enters the debate. Ultimately, the college's successful application of technology is a critical factor in the successful execution of its appointed mission. The question to ask is: "How can technology facilitate the achievement of institutional goals and how can institutions ensure that technology is implemented and managed to deliver the desired result?" This article discusses the solutions to this question.

Citation

Knoess, C. (2005). From Strategic Intent to Strategy: The "Gap". Community College Journal, 76(2), 34-37. Retrieved August 9, 2024 from .

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