A systems approach to strategic planning for the Civil Engineering Department

Abstract

Like all organizations, the Civil Engineering Department needs self-evaluation so as to take measure of the past, present and future. In this effort the document, "Strategic Planning for the Charles E. Via, Jr. Department of Civil Engineering", was made to ensure proper development and to guide the right direction of the development. It, however, should be continuously updated and reviewed to ensure that we are in the right position.

The purpose of this research is to apply a systems approach to making strategic planning a continuing process. Strategic objectives in fulfilling this purpose are dictated by the systems approach which includes: (l) assessing the current situation by viewing it in the context of the development of higher education, (2) formalizing procedures by which the strategic plan can be used as a plan on which ideas can be floated and consensus can be developed, (3) checking the consistency of the goals and objectives of the Department’s strategic plan with goals and objectives throughout the university hierarchy, and (4) developing a modeling instrumentality that will complement the planning document so as to permit policy and strategy evaluation.

Using these systems approaches this thesis presented a review of the existing Strategic plan, goals intent structures, a linear programming model, and computer simulation models for the Department.