A/2.2 University Planning Framework
Contact Officer | Director, Planning, Reviews and Quality |
Approval Date | 30/07/2015 |
Approval Authority | Council |
Date of Next Review | 01/08/2018 |
2.2.1 Planning and management principles
2.2.2 Responsibilities
2.2.3 QUT Blueprint
2.2.4 Faculty, division and institute planning and budgeting
2.2.5 Individual staff performance planning and review
2.2.6 Accountability and reporting
2.2.7 Devolution of responsibility
2.2.8 Continuous improvement of planning and management processes
2.2.9 Approval process
Related Documents
Modification History
2.2.1 Planning and management principles
QUT's planning and management is based on the following principles:
a) planning directed towards the attainment of the University's vision and priorities. The University operates a planning cycle which involves three major levels as follows:
- The QUT Blueprint which sets the directions for the entire University and articulates major University-level priorities, strategies and performance areas, supported by the Academic Plan and the Enabling Plan
- planning and budgeting for organisational units (faculties, divisions, institutes)
- individual staff performance planning and review in the context of University and organisational area plans.
b) risk management which contributes to the achievement of the University's corporate objectives through processes, structures and culture that is directed towards effective management of potential opportunities and adverse effects (A/2.5)
c) resource management to ensure that resources are applied effectively and utilised efficiently in executing the University's plans
d) accountability via reporting on plan outcomes (A/2.2.7) and the review of organisational areas (A/2.3)
e) devolution of responsibility within the framework of approved plans (A/2.2.8)
f) continuous improvement of planning and management processes (A/2.2.9).2.2.2 Responsibilities
Council
Council approves the QUT Blueprint following endorsement by relevant committees.
Vice-Chancellor and President
The Vice-Chancellor and President develops the QUT Blueprint and is responsible for faculty, division and institute planning. The Vice-Chancellor and President will regularly seek advice from Finance and Planning Committee and University Executive Committee in the execution of this responsibility.
Executive deans of faculty / heads of division / institute directors
Executive deans of faculty / heads of division / institute directors are responsible for leadership and management of their organisational areas, including:
- preparation of faculty / division / institute plans and three-year budgets
- monitoring the implementation of plans
- negotiating and working with relevant areas to achieve the University-level priorities, strategies and targets outlined in the QUT Blueprint
- determining the nature of operational planning and budgeting to be used within their own faculty, division or institute.
Executive deans of faculty / heads of divisions / institute directors also are responsible for reporting annually on achievement of faculty, division and institute plans.
Director, Planning, Reviews and Quality
The Planning, Reviews and Quality Unit coordinates an annual report on the QUT Blueprint each calendar year, which informs the QUT Annual Report (A/2.2.6).
Senior managers
Managers at all levels are accountable for risk management in accordance with the University's risk management policy (A/2.5).2.2.3 QUT Blueprint
Institutional planning occurs every five years or more frequently if required. It is led by the Vice-Chancellor and President with the active participation of Council, Finance and Planning Committee and the University Executive Committee. The process is informed by a comprehensive assessment of the University's future external and internal environments and relies on consultation with staff and other stakeholders. The resultant QUT Blueprint sets the overall long-term direction for the University as a whole and articulates major University-level priorities, strategies and performance areas.
2.2.4 Faculty, division and institute planning and budgeting
Faculty, division and institute planning and budgeting processes involve the following steps:
- Faculties, divisions and institutes are annually provided with a planning and budget package which includes information and guidelines for the planning and budget processes
- Faculties, divisions and institutes submit planning documents in accordance with the planning and budget package
- Faculties, divisions and institutes submit three-year detailed budgets from which the University budget is prepared for consideration by Finance and Planning Committee and recommendation to Council for approval.
The usual sequence for the key actions in the planning and budget process is detailed on the Digital Workplace.
2.2.5 Individual staff performance planning and review
Individual staff actively participate in planning processes within their organisational unit. Faculty / division / institute planning is also inter-related to individual staff performance and review activities. Staff should pursue performance and development paths consistent with the direction of their faculty, division or institute as articulated in the relevant plans and this is formalised through performance planning and review processes (B/9).
2.2.6 Accountability and reporting
Annual reporting
The QUT Annual Report produced by the Marketing and Communication Department gives an overview of QUT and its operations for each calendar year.
The Planning, Reviews and Quality Unit coordinates an annual report on the QUT Blueprint each calendar year which informs the QUT Annual Report. Following consideration of the annual report by Finance and Planning Committee and Council early the following year, the University-level priorities, strategies and performance areas may be reviewed or updated as required, by mid-year, in order to inform the next planning cycle of faculties, divisions and institutes.
Faculties, divisions and institutes provide a formal annual report at the end of each calendar year. These reports are provided to the University Executive Committee, and inform the QUT Annual Report and any review of the QUT Blueprint.
Reporting on key performance indicators
QUT's key performance indicators (KPIs) (QUT staff access only) provide ongoing feedback on the University's achievement of its vision and goals and are widely used for communicating the University's performance externally, for example to the Queensland Parliament through the QUT Annual Report. Progress reports on KPIs are regularly provided to University Executive Committee, Finance and Planning Committee, and Council. Further information may be obtained from the Planning, Reviews and Quality Unit.
Evaluation of strategic planning processes
A comprehensive evaluation of the efficiency and effectiveness of the University's planning processes and the appropriateness of the results achieved is conducted regularly through the Corporate Reviews Framework (A/2.3).2.2.7 Devolution of responsibility
Within the framework of approved plans, University policies and procedures, and allocated budgets, managers are given a high degree of flexibility in decision-making. This devolution of responsibility recognises that managers are responsible for management of risks and the achievement of plans in an often dynamic environment and that operational management decisions are most appropriately made at the organisational area level.
2.2.8 Continuous improvement of planning and management processes
The University is committed to the ongoing review and continuous improvement of its planning and management processes. This is provided through a thorough review of processes at least every five years. In addition, each year the Vice-Chancellor and President seeks advice from University Executive Committee on potential improvements. Major changes to processes are subject to approval through Finance and Planning Committee and Council.
2.2.9 Approval process
Plan |
Responsible for plan preparation |
Committee (for endorsement) |
Approval authority |
QUT Blueprint |
Vice-Chancellor (Sponsor) |
University Executive Committee |
Council |
Faculty / division / institute plans
Plan |
Responsible for plan preparation |
Approval authority |
Faculty plans |
Executive dean of faculty |
Vice-Chancellor |
Division plans |
Deputy Vice-Chancellor / Head of Division (as appropriate) |
Vice-Chancellor |
Institute plans |
Institute Director |
Vice-Chancellor |
Related Documents
MOPP A/2.3 Corporate Reviews Framework
MOPP A/2.5 Risk management
MOPP G/4.1 Budget
Modification History
| Date | Sections | Source | Details |
| 12.06.20 | All | Director, Planning, Reviews and Quality | Administrative amendments to align with organisational change |
| 30.07.15 | All | Executive Director, Finance and Resource Planning | Revised policy to reflect current practice |
| 06.07.14 | A/2.2.4 | Executive Director, Finance and Resource Planning | Policy revised to embed the Project Proposal Framework |
| 20.10.10 | All | Council | Policy revised to incorporate changes to University planning framework |
| 20.08.08 | All | Council | Revised policy (endorsed by Planning and Resources Committee 06.08.08 and Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Committee 16.07.08) |
| 25.02.05 | A/2.2.2, A/2.2.3, A/2.2.4, A/2.2.6, A/2.2.9 | Executive Director, Finance and Resource Planning | Minor editorial changes (consistent with current approved processes) |
| 21.07.04 | A/2.2.9 | Council | Approved new top-level plans (Learning and Teaching, Research and Innovation, People and Culture, Finance and Infrastructure) |
| 13.11.03 | All | Planning and Resources Committee of Council | Revised planning framework; re-numbered and re-located to MOPP A/2.2 (previously MOPP A/7) |
| 15.7.1998 | A/2.2.9 | Council | Approved top-level and support strategic plans (1999-2003) |