Approach & Phases

Approach

A Collaborative and Comprehensive Strategic Plan

The Smeal College of Business has partnered with Huron Consulting Group to embark on Imagine Smeal 2030, a transformative strategic planning initiative. This process is designed to shape the College’s future through intentional, data-informed decision-making and broad stakeholder engagement. Drawing from proven frameworks and expertise, we aim to define clear priorities, actionable initiatives, and a cohesive vision that will align with a strategic budget.

Grounded in collaboration and inclusivity, the planning process emphasizes input from faculty, staff, students, alumni, corporate partners, and other key stakeholders. By leveraging their diverse perspectives, we aim to ensure that the resulting strategic plan reflects the aspirations and needs of the entire Smeal community.

Phases of the Strategic Plan

Through these structured phases, Imagine Smeal 2030 aims to create a visionary and actionable roadmap that will define the College’s path to excellence and ensure its long-term impact in the business education landscape.

Phase 0: Pre-Planning (January 2025)

This phase focuses on setting the foundation for the process. Key activities include finalizing objectives, gathering initial data, and aligning on roles and responsibilities. Deliverables include a project plan, stakeholder engagement strategy, and a data-driven understanding of Smeal’s current state.

Phase 1: Build a Shared Understanding (January–February 2025)

Through market analysis, benchmarking, and extensive stakeholder engagement—including focus groups and surveys—this phase develops a deep understanding of Smeal’s strengths, challenges, and opportunities. A SWOT analysis will capture key insights to guide the next steps.

Phase 2: Develop and Prioritize Strategic Options (March–April 2025)

Building on insights from Phase 1, this phase generates innovative ideas for the College’s future. Activities include brainstorming sessions, a community pitch fest, and surveys. These ideas will be evaluated and filtered to identify a focused set of strategic priorities and initiatives.

Phase 3: Draft and Socialize the Strategic Plan (May–June 2025)

This phase involves drafting the initial strategic plan, which includes the mission, vision, values, and actionable initiatives. Feedback will be solicited through town halls, focus groups, and surveys to refine the draft and foster community buy-in.

Phase 4: Finalize the Plan and Prepare for Execution (July–August 2025)

The final phase focuses on finalizing the strategic plan and developing an implementation roadmap. This includes actionable steps, a strategic budget, and mechanisms to monitor progress. The plan will be presented to the Smeal community, setting the stage for its execution.