ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the role of the strategic planner in enabling the development of a new or substantively revised institutional strategy. It begins with an appraisal of what constitutes institutional strategy with reference to relevant texts. The chapter emphasizes the importance of enabling effective strategic thinking, and the active engagement of stakeholders. Strategy is often an overused and poorly defined term in universities and other organizations. Strategic planners have an important role to play in helping institutional leaders and colleagues across the institution to develop this capability. Effective strategic thinking opens up new possibilities and provides clarity in relation to those options which should be prioritised or rejected. There is no simple map or guide that will ensure that the strategic planner is able to successfully navigate the unpredictable currents of institutional strategy. It is useful to identify the positive contribution which the strategy will make in relation to mitigating the institution's primary risks.
