Strategic Planning in Dental Education: A Case Study Adopting the Issue-Based Planning Model and SWOT Analysis...

Area of Science:

• Higher Education Administration
• Academic Planning
• Faculty Development

Background:

• A faculty development initiative utilized the Issue-Based Strategic Planning Model and SWOT Analysis Framework.
• The goal was to establish a sustainable strategic direction and strengthen faculty governance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement a structured strategic planning process within a faculty setting.
• To enhance institutional direction, faculty engagement, and academic governance.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative case study design was employed, incorporating document reviews, stakeholder consultations, and anonymous surveys.
• A bidirectional (top-down and bottom-up) approach engaged faculty leadership and staff through six key steps, including SWOT analysis and action plan development.

Main Results:

• The strategic planning process unified understanding and engagement, consolidating ideas into four strategic pillars.
• SWOT analysis revealed strengths (qualified faculty) and weaknesses (limited funding); four strategic goals were formulated, leading to increased research output and improved KPI alignment.

Conclusions:

• Structured strategic planning models align institutional goals with educational priorities and academic values.
• Strategic planning is crucial for resilience, continuous improvement, and long-term impact in dental education.