SA Strategic Planning Glossary
Last Updated: 09/2020
Action Item – An action or process identified through self-study as necessary for a department/unit to align with functional area or general standards; may be identified as a Strategic Priority in an annual report.
Resources: Department/Unit Self-Assessment Report, Department/Unit Annual Report
Assessment – The process by which the accomplishment of goals and the effectiveness of programs/services are measured, including defined measures, targets, and reported outcomes.
Resources: Department/Unit Strategic Plan, Department/Unit Annual Report
Collaboration – A partnership between two or more departments/units to deliver a program or service.
Resources: Department/Unit Strategic Plan
Department – A discrete functional area office (e.g. Admissions, Associated Students, etc.); planning, assessment, and reporting at this level focuses on department goals and assessment measures within each department.
Resources: Department Strategic Plan, Department Self-Assessment Report, Department Annual Report
Goals – A set of descriptive outcomes statements specifying what a department/unit will accomplish, and how, in fulfilling its mission.
Resources: Department/Unit Strategic Plan, Department/Unit Annual Report
Learning Outcome – A statement that describes a specific, measurable change in what students will know or be able to do as a direct result of interacting with a program/service.
Resources: Department Goals vs Learning Outcomes Guidance
Measure (Assessment) – A measureable criterion used to determine the extent to which a department/unit goal is accomplished.
Resources: Department/Unit Strategic Plan, Department/Unit Annual Report
Methods – The strategies, techniques, and tools used for collecting information related to an assessment measure.
Resources: Assessment Methods Guidance
Mission – A descriptive statement of purpose emphasizing the programs/services and overall impacts of a department/unit.
Resources: Department/Unit Strategic Plan
Outcome (Assessment) – The actual result of a specific assessment measure for a defined reporting period.
Resources: Department/Unit Annual Report
Program – A series of activities or functions offered by a department (or multiple departments in collaboration) to support the accomplishment of one or more department/unit goals.
Self-Assessment Report – The written product produced by a department/unit as a result of engaging in self-study; includes action plan detailing department/unit action items.
Resources: Department/Unit Self-Assessment Report
Self-Study – A process by which departments/units self-evaluate relative to functional area and general standards.
Resources: Self-Assessment Guide (CAS), Professional Standards (CAS)
Service – A discrete activity or function offered by a department (or multiple departments/units in collaboration) to support the accomplishment of one or more department goals.
Resources: TBD
Service Population – A defined population of students supported or impacted by the programs/services of a specific department/unit.
Resources: Department/Unit Strategic Plan
Special Initiative – Short-term strategies identified in a department/unit strategic plan to address emerging opportunities or challenges; a special initiative may be identified as a strategic priority on an annual report
Resources: Department/Unit Strategic Plan
Standards – The generic term used to refer to a set of statements designed to provide practitioners with criteria against which to judge the quality of programs and services offered.
Resources: Professional Standards (CAS)
Standards (Functional Area) – The set of specific standards framed within the context of a functional area, which are applied during the department/unit self-study process.
Resources: Self-Assessment Guide (CAS)
Strategic Priority – An Action Item, Special Initiative, or action/process identified through ongoing assessment as necessary for a department/unit to be successful in fulfilling its mission; as identified in an annual report.
Resources: Division/Unit Annual Report
Strategy – A statement that identifies the specific programs/services by which a department/unit goal will be accomplished.
Resources: Division/Unit Strategic Plan
Target (Assessment) – The desired outcome of a specific assessment measure for a defined goal timeframe.
Resources: Department/Unit Annual Report
Unit – A cluster of related departments (e.g. Counseling, Health, & Wellbeing, Student Success Initiatives, etc.); planning, assessment, and reporting at this level focuses on broader functions, cumulative outcomes, and central operations and resources across departments in each unit.
Resources: Unit Strategic Plan, Unit Self-Assessment Report, Unit Annual Report
Vision – An aspirational statement of purpose emphasizing the outcomes of a department or unit.
Resources: Department Strategic Elements, Unit Strategic Elements
Questions about these terms?
Contact Matt Bryant, Division Planning and Assessment Consultant, at 360-650-2982 or matt.bryant@wwu.edu