ABSTRACT
Resistance to organizational change within higher education has been exacerbated by the lack of a strategic planning structure and data-driven decision making processes. There are two distinct methods of leadership that might be employed in pursuit of a data strategy: centralized and decentralized. The mission statement defines the primary purpose of the institution and should thus serve as the foundation for the entire strategic plan. Clear communication can help establish a culture that is receptive to developing a data strategy. A successful data strategy supports the strategic plan through improved data structures and data-informed decision making that inherently promote the attainment of institutional goals. An environmental scan examines the campus climate through a variety of lenses, including “social, economic, political, regulatory, technological, and cultural”. SWOT analyses are one of the most commonly used planning tools and provide a simple means of evaluating institutional circumstances.
