Environmental Scan, Performance Evaluation, and Research and Development

Luther Seminary will develop an on ongoing process of environmental scan to assess market needs, will engage in research and development on existing and new programs, and will conduct regular performance evaluation on all of its work.

Goal 9.1

By 2005, Luther Seminary will have a fully operational process that engages in ongoing environmental scan, research and development, and performance evaluation.

Strategies

• Create a standard database for environmental scan.

• Determine a process and timetable for updating the environmental scan.

• Develop a strategy for incorporating the database of the environmental scan into the strategic decision making of the seminary.

• Provide the resources and personnel to support research and development (R&D).

• Create incentives for persons to engage in R & D for the purposes of fully implementing the seminary’s curricular strategy along with its mission and vision.

• Design a process for the infusion of new R & D developments into the work within the ongoing educational processes.

• Establish a performance evaluation model that reflects the seminary’s mission and vision.

• Develop a balanced score card for engaging in performance evaluation for strategic decision making.

• Develop a complete performance evaluation process for all operational aspects of the seminary’s life and work to be used in the regular work of quality improvement.

Action Steps – Fall 1999 through July 2001

9.1.1  By January 2000, the President and Deans, in consultation with the ALT, will appoint a Research Work Group that will be responsible for those tasks and processes related to the initial implementation of the vision plan.

9.1.2  Following January 2000, the Research Work Group will meet with all assigned groups as needed to assist them with their research needs in implementing their work.

9.1.3  By May 2000, the Research Work Group will have completed the initial design for a comprehensive and ongoing environmental scan that provides the seminary with the information needed for strategic decision making and will have fully implemented this design by July 2001.

9.1.4  By May 2000, the Research Work Group will have completed the initial design and budget requirements for a research and development process and will have substantially implemented this design by July 2001.

9.1.5  By May 2000, the Research Work Group will have completed the initial design of a performance evaluation for all aspects of the seminary’s work and will have completed the initial implementation of this design by July 2001, with this performance evaluation including both quality management information for improving effectiveness and efficiency, and a balanced score card for strategic decision making.

9.1.6  By June 2000, the Research Work Group will have identified a strategy and timetable for integrating as much as possible the resources available in the Ph.D. program into the work processes of scan, R & D, and performance evaluation, with implementation beginning in the fall of 2000.

9.1.7  By June 2000, the Research Work Group will have identified the staff, hiring schedule, and resources needed to carry out all the work that has been designed and prepared for implementation. The hiring of necessary personnel will begin in the summer of 2000 and continue as needed to the summer of 2001.