The committee helps facilitate communication across the campus on IT-related matters. Throughout the creation of the strategic plan for IT, various draft documents will be circulated through the committees, to IS staff, and to as many other university constituencies as possible for input and informal review. Information Systems authors first drafts and incorporates revisions and refinements as they are received. The Vice Provost for Extended Programs drafts Distance Education sections, the Dean of the University Libraries drafts sections related to the university library, and Deans and Administrative Unit heads provide drafts of sections related to IT activities under their direction. The CIO coordinates and facilitates the entire IT planning process.
Planning is successful only if it changes the way routine decisions are made and implemented.
One major value of strategic planning is in compelling a unit or an individual to act and learn and thus to impact the way decisions are made. The optimal IT Strategic Plan will require modifications throughout an operational cycle. The participants must reflect upon their actions, and refine plans based on insights gained through experience. Therefore mid-year modifications are routinely expected. Formulating a strategic plan requires substantial investment in time and talents.