Strategic Planning: A Management Tool for Achieving Corporate Goals of Higher Education Institutions (HEIS) in Nigeria

Abstract

The paper examines the need to establish an effective strategic planning model  by higher education institutions in Nigeria so as to facilitate the accomplishment of their mission and vision statements, strategic objectives and ultimately, their corporate goals. It emphasises that strategic planning model is a core area in strategic management, as it provides the framework for decision-making and creates unity of purpose among faculty members. Some conceptual definitions of strategic planning, strategic management, corporate goals/objectives, corporate planning, strategic decisions, policy decisions and tactical decisions are provided in the paper, while the benefits of strategic planning in higher education institutions are highlighted. The processes and steps involved in
strategic planning are discussed using some models. The paper further establishes the relationship between strategic planning and corporate goal of a university through a university corporate attainment goal model (UCGAM). The
paper also examines the tasks of top management in strategic planning in educational institutions. It finally recommends the need for educational institutions to establish strategic planning unit to monitor their programmes and to periodically review and evaluate planned university programmes to facilitate the achievement of their corporate goals.