A REVIEW OF STRATEGIC PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION IN UNIVERSITIES IN JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA

Just like businesses and companies, colleges and universities operate in an almost similar manner that desires planning, as such must correspondingly utilize strategic planning to realize growth and prosperity. Therefore, strategic planning and implementation are significant in driving a university to success, as it forms the basis for examining the present-day situations and estimate the forthcoming establishment and put up with competitive advantages. Accordingly, it forms the basis for adequate planning in anticipation of irregular trends by operational scrutiny, prioritizing objectives, setting purposes, and execution. This study intended to review the strategic planning and strategic plan implementation in universities in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A pragmatic qualitative study that endeavored to ascertain by what means education stakeholders designed and implemented strategic plan was carried out following established research ideologies. The study made use of a case study strategy and interviews as qualitative data collection methods. The semi-structured virtual interviews were administered to university administrators, deans, and department chairpersons to get their opinions, thoughts, attitudes, and understanding of a strategic plan and its implementation. Data gathered underwent content analysis where data was transcribed and coded and responses were grouped according to their question numbers. From the findings, there is a need for the process of strategic planning and implementation to be more inclusive and be followed to the later. In conclusion, strategic planning management and implementation are key in setting up a curriculum change just as in the execution of any business plan, therefore, there is need to bring on board all affected parties. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the process of strategic planning and implementation be standardized to enhance effectiveness across the board.