Why Most Strategic Plans Fail and How Higher Ed Can Do Better

Higher education is operating in a transformed landscape, shrinking traditional enrollments, rising costs, funding uncertainties, and growing regulatory pressure. Yet many institutions still rely on outdated, static approaches to planning. This whitepaper explores how forward-thinking colleges and universities can adopt a more agile, system-aware framework for strategic planning in 2025, one that’s measurable, adaptable, and built for results.