The Assessment is followed by two constituent retreats, led by the consultant. The school can choose to have the consultant draft the full long range planning document. ISM's process moves from professional identification of needs to setting goals, isolating obstacles, generating and consolidating solutions, and creating detailed, timed strategies with price tags. The entire plan has a concrete, manageable quality to it. Thereafter, you check off items as you complete them, and you move your school forward.
Streamlined options are also available.
For example, schools who wish to write their own planning document, using the information developed through the Assessment and retreats, can reduce the fee substantially. This document focuses primarily on financial planning, facilities planning and management, enrollment management, development, and marketing. This retreat most frequently occurs on a Friday night and Saturday. Some schools seek an expert-based strategic plan. In this approach, the ISM consultant conducts an Institutional Assessment of the school, then puts his or her findings into the form of a written strategic plan - a timelined, prioritized outline of recommendations.