PSA 445: Strategic Planning in PSA

Course Description

This course will focus on the fundamentals and application of strategic analysis and planning in public safety. Strategic Planning for Public Safety is designed to address the interests and needs of those currently working as professionals in the public safety arena. This course introduces the student to the development of strategic plans, the process of determining long-term and short-term goals, and the management of public safety programs. (3 credits)

Prerequisites

ENG 101: English Composition 1
ENG 102: English Composition 2
Background in public safety, or obtained permission from the instructor to take this course

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Discuss the difference between, Strategy, Planning, and Strategic Planning including the traps most often associated with Strategic Planning and best practice models.
Discuss the procedural process of Strategic Planning from conception to implementation and follow-through.
Identify and define the major philosophical and procedural controversies within the student's respective Public Safety field and establish a personal position in regard to those controversies.
Demonstrate and discuss strategic planning through development of a plan to meet the future needs and challenges of the student's respective area of Public Safety.

Course Activities and Grading

This course is designed in a scholar/practitioner model. Students are expected through weekly reading assignments and other material supplied each week to demonstrate in discussion threads a scholarly understanding of theoretical concepts in strategic planning in both the private and public sectors and then, utilizing that knowledge as well as their own unique work experience, to design a potential strategic plan to improve their respective current area of Public Safety. The final paper, which is developed and discussed throughout the five weeks, is a strategic plan for one solution of their choice. As a 400 level class both theoretical knowledge and practical application of that knowledge are critical. This class will stress the integration of the two.

Assignments	Weight
Reading Assignments and respective weekly posts to discussion threads on Black Board	40%
Strategic Plan project paper due week 5 (30% for final paper due week 5, 15% in weeks 1 and 3 for planning stage assignments culminating in final paper)	60%
Total	100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's online bookstore

Anderson, Erika. (2010). Being Strategic. St. Martin’s Press, ISBN-10: 031265670X or ISBN-13: 978-0312656706

Additional Resources

Harvard Business Review-The Big Lie of Strategic Planning, Roger L. Martin, January-February 2-014 issue
Harvard Business Review-Are You Confusing Strategy With Planning, Roger L. Martin, May 2, 2014
Harvard Business Review-Which Strategy “Comfort Traps” Are You Falling Into?, Roger L. Martin, May 2, 2014
Both articles and the “Comfort Trap” questionnaire are available at hbr.org. Additionally I will email each student the articles and link to the questionnaire (which will be used in conjunction with their final paper)
Good Resources for Research on Final Paper:
Association for Strategic Planning (www.strategyassociation.org/) - Founded in 1999, ASP is the only not-for-profit professional association dedicated to advancing thought and practice in strategy development and deployment for business, non-profit and government organizations. ASP provides opportunities to explore cutting-edge strategic planning principles and practices that enhance organizational success and advance members' and organizations' knowledge, capability, capacity for innovation, and professionalism.

Course Schedule

Week	SLOs	Readings and Exercises	Assignments
1	1,4	Topic: What is Strategic Planning? Readings: Text pp. 1-106 and Harvard Business Review article The Big Lie of Strategic Planning	Participate in the Discussions. Respond to at least two other posts in the threaded discussions. Submit one original post (at least 250 words) to the Discussion Board on an aspect of the Harvard Business Review article or text that surprised you. Submit a one-page proposal for a strategic plan that is relevant to your world. This paper should define the challenge and clarify the current state to establish a starting point. Use the text model on pp. 102-104 as a guide. The paper can be either a one-page narrative, or an introductory paragraph followed by a SWOT analysis.
2	1,2,4	Topic: Crafting the Plan Readings: Text pp. 107-150	Participate in the Discussions. Respond to at least two other posts in the threaded discussions. Submit one original post (at least 250 words) to the Discussion Board on the theory of strategic planning as described in the text and whether (or not) you have seen that process demonstrated in your area of Public Safety. Using the format on pp. 143-146 in the text, map an outline of your strategic plan that would include What Is, What’s The Hope, What’s In The Way, What’s The Path (Strategies), and What’s The Path (Tactics).
3	1,2,4	Topic: Current Theories and Misconceptions in Strategic Planning Readings: Text pp. 151-209, Harvard Business Review article Are You Confusing Strategy With Planning?, Harvard Business Review test Which Strategy “Comfort Traps” Are You Falling Into?	Participate in the Discussions. Respond to at least two other posts in the threaded discussions. Submit one original post (at least 250 words) to the Discussion Board on one of the pitfalls or misconceptions in strategic planning as described in either the text or Harvard Business Review articles. Have you seen the results of that pitfall or misconception in your work experience? Take the Which Strategy Comfort Traps Are You Falling Into? test (link from the article Are You Confusing Strategy With Planning?) and, based on results, make any course corrections necessary to your strategic plan. Rough Draft of Strategic Plan due (5-8 pages)
4	1	Topic: Long Term Repositioning Readings: Text pp. 210-272	Participate in the Discussions. Respond to at least two other posts in the threaded discussions. Long-term repositioning is perhaps the most neglected and misunderstood aspect of strategic planning. Submit one original post (at least 250 words) to the Discussion Board on how you plan to address long-term repositioning within the framework of your strategic plan?
5	1,2,3,4	Topic: Bringing it All Together Readings: Review complete text and both Harvard Business Review articles	Participate in the Discussions. Respond to at least two other posts in the threaded discussions. Based on the reading assignments over the past five weeks, the Discussion Board conversations, and you experience in developing you own strategic plan,. Submit one original post (at least 250 words) to the Discussion Board placing the process and practice of strategic planning within the framework of your particular area of Public Safety in terms of relevance, suggested priority, and/or place in your culture? Final paper (strategic plan) due. 8-10 pages.

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.