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Wayne State University Libraries Strategic Plan 2025-2028

Appendix A: Planning Methodology

The Wayne State University Libraries hired Mark A. Puente & Associates, LLC to develop and facilitate the strategic planning process. The following goals and steps provided the outline for the process.

Goals

As a result of the strategic planning process, all library employees will have the opportunity to:

  1. Share ideas and aspirations for library success.
  2. Understand the library’s positioning within the broader campus context and the larger academic research library environment.
  3. Create a culture for a process where people feel a sense of psychological empowerment to engage in frank discussions and bold envisioning.
  4. Collect and synthesize data and other relevant information as part of an environmental scan.
  5. Contribute to the development of a new strategic plan for the libraries and understand the role each can play in its successful implementation.

Using an iterative process with the guidance of the Steering Committee, the consultants used a variety of tools and techniques to enlist participation and engagement in each phase of the project. The process included in-person and online meetings to accomplish the work. The work of the consultants was guided by a framework called “Conscious Acts for Inclusion: A Common Language to Drive Uncommon Results” developed by two organizational development experts Frederick Miller and Judith Katz. This framework describes a set of behavioral norms and approaches to collaboration that ensure that voices are heard and that diverse perspectives are respected and factored into the development of critical outputs of this process.

Process Steps

Phase 1: Internal discovery and planning. Design, data collection (input), and analysis of preliminary (existing) data (May–July 2024)

  1. Consultants review relevant documents and organizational artifacts that tell the story of the university, the Libraries, and the broader community. Synthesize data and develop a summary report.
  2. Libraries’ administration works with consultants to determine the membership of and scope of work for a Steering Committee (SC).
  3. Consultants prime the process with provision of framing documents for the SC and library employees.
  4. Consultants, with SC, generate a list of relevant campus stakeholders and key constituents.
  5. Consultants initiate planning and agenda creation for first in-person meetings.
  6. Consultants develop and pilot interview and focus group scripts.
  7. With the SC and Libraries’ leadership determine appropriate methodologies.

Phase 2: Data gathering and synthesis (July–October 2024)

  1. Hold in-person meeting at WSU with Steering Committee.
  2. Conduct interviews and focus groups with appropriate stakeholders (in-person).
  3. Process and evaluate the first meeting and update next steps.
  4. Analyze and synthesize data from focus groups and interviews.
  5. Administer three library staff “pulse” surveys.
  6. Process and summarize survey data.
  7. Write a summary report and create PowerPoint.

Phase 3: Refinement of data and drafting of preliminary plan (November 2024–January 2025)

  1. Establish agenda and goals for on-site visit #2.
  2. Share data summaries with appropriate stakeholders.
  3. Establish strategic priorities and develop a draft plan.
  4. Develop focal areas and prioritize using a nominal group (or other) technique.
  5. Initiate brainstorming regarding tactics, progress markers, and success metrics.
  6. Distribute vision, mission, values, and goals as appropriate for comment.
  7. Synthesize comments and develop final iteration.

Phase 4: Finalization, adoption, and implementation (February–March 2025)

  1. Consultants offer guiding principles for the successful implementation of the plan
    • E.g. Leading Change by John P. Kotter
  2. Consultants work with communications personnel to finalize the strategic plan.
    • Work with campus or external communications personnel to design and finalize documentation.
  3. Conduct an end-of-process evaluation with the dean, Steering Committee, and senior leadership group.