Executive Summary
INTRODUCTION
This strategic plan for the Division of Business and Finance builds upon earlier planning efforts that began in the spring of 2000. It is the product of thoughtful collaboration and spirited teamwork among Division leaders and staff members. While each of the 15 departments within the Division have developed comprehensive unit plans, this division plan encapsulates the broader goals, shared vision, and philosophy for implementing all departmental plans.
Strategic planning is a vital and dynamic activity within Business and Finance. It establishes direction and empowers all staff and management to participate and assume greater responsibility for establishing and achieving our goals. The order of goals and objectives in this plan does not convey a specific priority sequence. Our priorities may shift and must be responsive to unforeseen changes in the environment around us. Consequently, this plan will be periodically revisited and revised as necessary to make it consistent with evolving needs and standards of Washington State University.
VISION
The Division of Business and Finance is an integrated team of professionals who deliver the highest quality operational services to support and improve the working and learning environment of Washington State University.
MISSION
The Division of Business and Finance is responsible for the stewardship and enhancement of the University's human, financial, and physical resources while providing a safe and secure environment in which to live, learn and work.
STRATEGIC GOALS
Goal 1: Recruit, develop and retain an outstanding, diverse, and fully engaged workforce.
Goal 2: Improve the risk management culture at WSU.
Goal 3: Establish open, accurate and responsive communication with all our customers and stakeholders.
Goal 4: Review service delivery to our customers with continuous focus on improved communication, efficiency and effectiveness.
Goal 5: Pursue new technologies that improve Business and Finance services and meet the evolving needs of the University.
Goal 6: Plan, design, construct and preserve quality physical facilities at all University campuses in conjunction with academic priorities.
Business and Finance Strategic Plan
Version 5.3
1/13/2002 10:22 AM
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
DIVISION OF Business and Finance
STRATEGIC PLAN
VISION
The Division of Business and Finance is an integrated team of professionals who deliver the highest quality operational services to support and improve the working and learning environment of Washington State University.
MISSION
The Division of Business and Finance is responsible for the stewardship and enhancement of the University's human, financial, and physical resources while providing a safe and secure environment in which to live, learn and work.
VALUES
The Division of Business and Finance is guided by the following set of core values that serve as the foundation from which we approach our work:
Honesty and Integrity: Acting in a professional, prompt, caring and respectful manner. Remaining above reproach while safeguarding the assets of the State.
Trust and Respect: Basing relationships on trust and mutual respect.
Service: Aggressively striving to identify and meet the individual needs of our customers and stakeholders.
Teamwork: Working together for the common good to accomplish tasks and deliver the services of the Division of Business and Finance while striving to make every individual a member of the team.
Communication: Encouraging accurate, timely, open communication with customers and stakeholders.
Creativity and Innovation: Cultivating a workplace that encourages and rewards creativity, innovation and good work.
Responsibility and Accountability: Acknowledging and accepting that accountability and responsibility are indivisible. All individuals are charged with safeguarding and managing State assets in ways that most efficiently and effectively enhance and support the mission of the University.
Lifelong Learning: Encouraging every individual to enhance their personal and professional growth through a wide variety of experiences and opportunities.
Flexibility and Continuous Improvement: Always able and willing to accommodate change, while striving for continuous improvement.
Diversity: Respecting and embracing human differences as the true wealth and capital of WSU.
STRATEGIC GOALS
| GOAL 1: Recruit, Develop, and Retain an Outstanding, Diverse, and Fully Engaged Workforce. |
Objective 1.1: Successfully attract and recruit a highly qualified and diverse workforce.
Required Actions:
(a) Aggressively market WSU as a premier employer.
(b) Implement streamlined recruiting and hiring processes.
(c) Emphasize outreach to underrepresented groups throughout the search process.
(d) Raise employee salaries to competitive levels.
Objective 1.2: Transform WSU into the "employer of choice" in the Pacific Northwest by creating a dynamic, meaningful work environment grounded upon a commitment to professional excellence.
Required Actions:
(a) Focus on teamwork, collaboration, and communication.
(b) Conduct and act upon results of workplace climate assessments.
(c) Emphasize proactive performance management and accountability at all levels.
(d) Embrace the qualities of "choosing your attitude, having fun while working, making the customers day, and being present."
(e) Empower employees through expanded areas of responsibility and authority.
(f) Actively encourage creativity and innovation.
(g) Include a thorough discussion of WSU's vision, mission, values and goals as part of the new employee orientation process.
Objective 1.3: Continually encourage and support the improvement of managerial, functional and technical competencies of all University employees.
Required Actions:
(a) Encourage and provide employees opportunities to attend workshops, conferences and seminars and WSU courses.
(b) Review and update as necessary existing training programs to meet evolving needs.
(c) Develop leadership and strategic planning skills through mentoring, coaching, and leadership seminars.
(d) Reward professional development accomplishments.
Objective 1.4: Develop a balanced program of incentives, rewards, and recognition of employee achievements and contributions.
Required Actions:
(a) Develop an employee award system.
(b) Motivate employees by seeking input and tracking/rewarding implementation of suggestions.
| GOAL 2: Improve the Risk Management Culture at WSU |
Objective 2.1 Develop and implement proactive risk management programs for all areas of the University.
Required Actions:
(a) Increase risk management services and training to better protect the human, financial and physical resources.
(b) Provide training to develop, coordinate and implement emergency response plans.
(c) Include risk management and safety in new employee orientation and supervisor training.
(d) Evaluate employee safety and risk management as a part of the annual performance review process.
(e) Monitor and improve health and safety programs.
| GOAL 3: Establish Open, Accurate and Responsive Communication With Customers and Stakeholders |
Objective 3.1 Ensure that the Division of Business and Finance presents a clear, concise and unified message to our public.
Required Actions:
(a) Improve methods of internal communication within the Division.
(b) Enhance visibility with stakeholders by expanding outreach and training programs to the University.
(c) Participate in community forums to discuss current issues.
(d) Implement scheduled web site accuracy reviews for all departments within Business and Finance.
| GOAL 4: Review Service Delivery to Our Customers With Continuous Focus on Improved Communication, Efficiency and Effectiveness |
Objective 4.1: Maximize student and customer convenience through the concept of "One Stop Shopping."
Required Actions:
(a) Evaluate Business and Finance student related services to determine which electronic transactions can be integrated with Student Affairs.
(b) Continue to utilize the Student Affairs Task Force (Members of Student Affairs and Business and Finance) to identify opportunities for improvements.
(c) Train employees in Business and Finance on related departmental policies and procedures.
(d) Provide opportunities for cross training across similar departments.
Objective 4.2: Transform Business and Finance' financial operations and administrative support services into a model program that exceeds customer and stakeholder expectations.
Required Actions:
(a) Continuous examination of structure and processes to identify and eliminate administrative inefficiencies and redundancies.
(b) Demonstrate flexibility and creativity to meet challenges and changing needs of customers and stakeholders.
(c) Learn, discuss, review, evaluate and implement best business practices of peer institutions and other successful businesses. Work to gain improved acceptance by those affected through teaching, educating and enlisting input.
| GOAL 5: Pursue New Technologies that Improve Business and Finance Services and Meet the Evolving Needs of the University |
Objective 5.1: Seek and utilize better equipment, operating/management systems, and computer hardware/software to provide more efficient and cost effective services.
Required Actions:
(a) Establish a unified Business and Finance technology group to coordinate and communicate about equipment, including heavy equipment, operating/management systems and computer software/hardware.
(b) Identify systems, programs, and equipment that can be networked to meet the needs of more than one unit within the Division, such as terminal server technology.
(c) Protect computing resources by establishing tighter security measures.
(d) Research new, updated methods of doing business.
Objective 5.2: Adapt Business and Finance technology to be more compatible, progressive and flexible to meet the unique and evolving needs of the University.
Required Actions:
(a) Identify areas of duplication among Division units and consolidate as feasible.
(b) Develop data storage that provides users the ability to access current and historical financial information utilizing modern business tools.
(c) Replace or enhance automated business practices and processes.
(d) Develop WEB-enabled systems that empower the user to author electronic transactions (i.e. electronic shipping system, procurement card system, journal vouchers).
| GOAL 6: Plan, Design, Construct and Preserve Quality Physical Facilities at All University Campuses in Conjunction with Academic Priorities |
Objective 6.1: Develop comprehensive facilities master plans for all campuses.
Required Actions:
(a) Publish a Campus Master Plan for each campus that includes a background, inventory, and analysis, and a plan for future developments.
(b) Reproduce a Master Plan map/poster for each campus.
(c) Ensure all affected stakeholders are actively engaged in the entire planning process.
(d) Communicate Master Plan activities with customers and stakeholders.
Objective 6.2: Establish design standards for affordable, efficiently maintained, safe and environmentally sustainable facilities.
Required Actions:
(a) Capital Planning and Development, Environmental Health and Safety, and Facilities Operations personnel will meet on a regular basis to improve design standards and contracts.
(b) Require energy efficiency that meets or exceeds recognized industry standards.
(c) Require environmentally responsible materials that meet or exceed recognized industry standards.
(d) Require Life Cycle Cost Analysis that maximizes building life-span.
(e) Communicate and coordinate with clients and stakeholders to ensure adherence to identified design standards.
Objective 6.3: Construct new/renovated facilities that contribute to the fabric of the campus while supporting the needs of a growing, changing University.
Required Actions:
(a) Coordinate and communicate with clients to accurately identify program needs.
(b) Identify realistic project budgets, including related infrastructure, landscape, and signage components.
(c) Manage projects to ensure completion on schedule and within budget.
(d) Communicate continually the status of the project with clients and stakeholders.
Objective 6.4: Ensure facilities and grounds are maintained to adequately support the University strategic plan.
Required Actions:
(a) Identify short and long-term needs related to Minor Capital Renewal, Improvement, and Safety, and infrastructure/road improvements.
(b) Identify and prioritize deferred maintenance items and present list to central administration and state for funding.
(c) Manage funds received to accomplish required Minor Capital and operating goals, while continually identifying emergent needs.
(d) Review operating needs continually to ensure facilities and grounds are adequately and appropriately maintained.
