Terms and Definitions

Core Values - Those components of the university that will remain inviolate, regardless of environmental changes, programmatic shifts, etc.; what the university is “known for.”

Key Performance Indicators - A measure of an essential performance outcome of a particular organizational performance activity or an important indicator of a precise health condition of an organization. More on key performance indicators.

Master Goals - Fundamental constructs necessary for a university to achieve its definition of excellence. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS are the primary indices of achievement.

Objectives – Specific, measurable actions taken to illustrate achievement of the components of a goal.

Planning Units - Operational entities of the university assigned specific functionalities that are supported by institutional budgets.

Strategic Directions - Broad focus areas identified by the university that translate the mission statement and vision statement into categories that lend themselves to measuring the level of success attained. Often, strategic directions have a two-to-three-year focus period.

Strategy - A “second-level” definition of a master goal, providing direction for, and constraints on, administrative and operational activities.

Vision – What the university aspires to be.