Designing a Strategic Plan

In “Designing a Strategic Plan for a Writing Center” Pamela B. Childers details the basic components of such a plan—whether your center is still being planned or already in existence.  These include:

·      Introduction (what is the writing center?)

·      Rationale (why does our institution need a writing center?)

·      Goals with Objectives (what are short-term objectives and long-term goals of the center?)

·      Three-Year Implementation Plan (when/what sequence will objectives and goals be accomplished)

·      Conclusion (how will the center and its progress be evaluated?)

·      Bibliography

·      Attached Budget Estimate (how will the center be funded?)

·      Appropriate Documentation/Support Materials

During the early phases of designing a strategic plan, Dr. Childers recommends that the writing center team perform a pre-planning activity.  Each individual should ask themselves a series of questions regarding the present condition of the writing center, and then a set about their visions for their ideal writing center.  Finally, the group convenes and compares to identify what common goals they have for the writing center and translates these into actionable objectives along a defined timeline.