A strategy 120 people still own years later

The challenge

At the start of the university planning cycle, the head of Library and Learning Resources asked us to help develop the department's strategy across many university sites.

What we did

We suggested a process that began with senior managers working on vision and strategy, then increasingly involved the whole team, so the strategy would live in the hearts and minds of staff as well as in a short, well-written document.

The participative approach also helped create a common service culture across sites, and strengthened the partnerships with other departments that the service depended on. It was one of eight strategy projects ProMeet has facilitated at UAL.

Three years later

"The objectives were successfully delivered in accordance with our strategic aspirations. The department is viewed as a high achieving department by colleagues across the University and year-on-year increases in student satisfaction are demonstrated through our NSS scores. Staff and senior managers within Library Services still talk about the Strategy as something they feel real ownership and pride in."
Pat Christie, who commissioned the work

Results

• A new vision, co-created by the leadership team
• A clear three-year strategy
• All 120 staff engaged in planning delivery
• Wider university understanding of and support for the strategy
• Year-on-year increases in student satisfaction