Our previous research analyzing 108 current strategic plans across higher education began in 2020 and featured private and public four-year institutions from all 50 states. All strategic plans were active at the time, and they represented various durations and stages, including some that were near conclusion.

In 2023, we wanted to understand what has changed or is changing in new strategic plans. Thus, we identified a narrower set of plans—54, exactly half the number from our original study—that launched in either 2022 or 2023.

In this installment, we share what has stayed consistent since our previous research and what’s new, analyzing everything from number of goals to strategic plan document length to plan duration.

This installment also provides material for thinking through whether a strategic plan, a strategic direction or an alternative strategic planning framework is the right choice for your institution right now.

To download installment two