ABSTRACT
The political process underpinning the establishment of a distance education system will normally lead to a statement of fundamental institutional aims or objects which expresses in the broadest terms the kind of instituion being set up. The strategic planning process should seek to explore the opportunities open to the institution having regard to both institutional mission, the aspirations of staff, and the strengths and weaknesses of the institution and its constituent parts. The planning horizon covered by the operational plan should reflect the lead-in times needed to achieve die objectives specified in the plan. The operational plan should be set within the context of the short- to medium-term financial situation. The operational plan will need to be supported by various models, notable student number forecasting models, an assessment of the course presentation load, staffing models, and space models. Planning should be concerned as much with human relations as with the technical issues of managing and directing a distance education system.
