University Approach to the Strategic Planning Process

Strategy Project Approach

The Project is aimed at the University Council meeting on July 9th to achieve formal approval of the refreshed Strategy.

A five phase process approach is proposed for the Strategic Plan refresh –

  1.  Project Planning Phase (March 2010) : Culminating in an agreed project plan, project budget, resource allocation, and project risk analysis and an agreed Consultation Strategy.
  2. Consultation Phase (April to mid May 2010) : Seeking input from key internal and external stakeholders as to strategic objectives, priorities and targets.
  3. Strategy Development Phase (May 2010) : Analysis and collation of all inputs and drafting of new Strategic Plan documents (including iterative consultation and communication with key stakeholders and decision makers).
  4. Approval Phase (June/July 2010) : Moving through the formal approval gates including Vice-Chancellor and Executive Committee, Academic Senate and University Council.  (Subsequent to approval of the refreshed Strategic Plan there will follow preparation of a draft Compact, with negotiations and a formal agreement anticipated in the second half of 2010).
  5. Communication Phase (August 2010 onward) : Engagement of internal (and if required external) stakeholder groups with the refreshed Plan, including collaboration with and support of Faculties and Divisions for development of linked Operational plans

Consultation Approach

For the purposes of the Project, “Consultation” is defined as the seeking of input from key stakeholders, that is, it is primarily an inbound information flow and differs from “Communication” which we define primarily as outbound.
During the Consultation Phase we are looking to keep engagement simple, conceptual, strategic and not overweighted in detail. Both internal and external stakeholders will be consulted and outcomes of previous consultation, such as the February 2010 University Leadership Workshop and the University Council Strategy Meeting will be incorporated.
To facilitate consultation a simple pack will be developed including -

  • Consultation questions – some generic and some stakeholder-specific.
  • A limited set of initiatives / targets data, depending on the stakeholder.
  • Planning Cycle graphic to provide context and background.
  • Overview of Strategy Refresh Project Plan to provide context and background

Stakeholders will be advised of questions in advance of the consultation conversation and consultation will take place face to face wherever possible.

The following is a listing, not exhaustive, of key stakeholders to be targeted for consultation. Further detail regarding the purpose and method of consultation for each stakeholder / stakeholder group is included as Attachment 1. Preparatory work regarding potential availability and scheduling has been undertaken as part of the project planning, but a firm Consultation Schedule will not be available prior to actually contacting proposed stakeholders for consultation.

Key Stakeholders

  • Council
  • Vice-Chancellor
  • Executive Committee
    • As an advisory body to the Vice-Chancellor 
    • As Faculty / Divisional / Campus / Portfolio leaders
  • Strategic Priority View
    • Priority 1 - Leaders in Education
      • Lead – DVC(A&GR) and PVC(A)
      • Centre for Teaching & Learning
      • Academic Senate
      • Teaching & Learning Committee 
      • Heads of School  / ELFS 
    • Priority 2 - Research Excellence 
      • Lead – DVC(R) and PVC(R)
      • Research Committee
      • Office of Graduate Studies
      • Research Services  
    • Priority 3 – Indigenous Collaboration
      • Lead – DVC(A&GR)
      • The Wollotuka Institute
      • BATSIET
    • Community Engagement
      • Lead – PVC(CD&CP)
      • External via Consultative Committee 
      • Alumni
    • Organisational Excellence
      • Lead – DVC(S)
      • Assistant DVC(S)
      • Service Directors
      • IT Governance Committee
  • Other Perspectives and ‘Opinion Setters’
    • Equity and Diversity
      • Manager, Equity and Diversity
    • Other campuses / locations
      • PVC(CCC) - Ourimbah 
      • Port Macquarie
      • Sydney  
    • Internationalisation  
      • International Office
      • UoN Singapore
      • GradSchool
      • ELFS  
    • Heads of School  and Directors
    • Controlled Entities (what do they want to see in the Strategic Plan and how do their activities support the Strategic Plan)
      • GradSchool
      • UoN Singapore 
      • UoN Foundation
      • Newcastle Innovation
      • UoN Services
    • Working Parties  
      • Budget 
      • Activity Based Costing 
      • Performance Indicators  
    • Student Experience  
      • NUSA
      • NUPSA
      • Campus Central
    • Staff perspectives
      • Academic Staff Consultative Committee
      • General Staff Consultative Committee
      • Open Forums at Callaghan and Ourimbah


Communication Strategy and Plan

Two streams of communication are planned as part of the Strategy Refresh Project -

  • ‘In flight’ advice to interested parties -
    • What the project is about.
    • Key project activities and progress.
    • Getting involved in Consultation etc.


It is expected that this will be achieved via a range of channels including direct personal updates for key project stakeholders, such as general email (or other broadcast channels) to target internal interest groups and a web page providing general information and project updates. 

  • ‘Roll out’ briefings following formal approval of the refreshed Strategic Plan -
    • Presentations across the University to a range of target groups, commencing with a high level briefing and extending out to facilitate engagement and understanding within faculties and divisions.

As well as providing information about the refreshed strategy itself, a key objective of the communication phase will be to actively engage people in connecting to the Plan, what it means to and for them and what their role / contribution is to its achievement. This will be a particular focus within Faculties and Divisions where it is planned to undertake the communication in collaboration with Faculty and Divisional leaders.