what we do - 4: year 1 & beyond - strategic institutional positioning

In the fast moving world of higher education the need to assess where the institution views its future is clearly an important matter. Assessing and judging what level of collective ambition exists for the future is also vital. Our work on the impact of disruptive innovation and the changing landscape of HE has provided us with a range of approaches to help leaders explore the positioning options. Part of this also involves consideration of the issue of strategic institutional differentiation.

Institutional/Unit Futures uses the technique of scenario thinking to engage the Board and other key stakeholders in an inclusive process of considering the context within which the new leader or leaders will be operating (or the equivalent group if the appointment is to a major academic unit). It provides an opportunity to ‘rewrite’ or ‘refresh’ the existing strategic plan. The process also helps identify the range of potential futures, which may arise, and some of the possible leadership challenges which may occur.