Strategic Plan 2011 – 2015In order to deliver against our mission we have established strategic themes, identified key enablers and
formulated a set of performance indicators with which to measure success.
Strategic Themes:
* Enhance our research and innovation profile
* Increase our impact globally
* Inspire our people to achieve their full potential
Key Enablers:
Success in pursuing our strategic themes depends on having the right support and resources in place.
Delivering against our mission requires Cranfield to be an effective, efficient and sustainable organisation,
able to draw together strengths from across the whole University. We will ensure this through consistent and
responsible financial, social and environmental policies and practices.
* Excellent people and organisation
* Financial sustainability
* A collaborative and supportive environment
The Strategic Plan for 2011-2015 builds on the strength of our heritage, past actions and successes. It sets the
context and broad direction of travel for the University over the coming five years. This document is the top-level
plan, complemented by more detailed strategic and operational plans for the Schools and the supporting shared services. To fully realise our potential we must harness knowledge, skills and abilities from across the whole University. This plan provides the framework to ensure that is achieved.
We are passionate for success and confident in the capabilities and commitment of staff and student members
of the University. We believe in achieving excellence in everything we do, enabling us to deliver real value for our
stakeholders and making a difference to the world in which we live.
We wish to proceed with boldness and pace, but it is appropriate to acknowledge that this plan has been
developed at a time of unusually high uncertainty: for the economy in general and UK higher education in
particular. Accordingly it will be especially important that we commit ourselves to regularly reviewing progress
and making corrective adjustments as needed in the light of changes in the external environment.Cranfield UniversityCU_2386edea-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515Cranfield is distinctive, occupying a special position as a wholly postgraduate institution focused on science,
technology, engineering and management. Working with Cranfield brings particular benefits for our partners
because of the way in which we bridge the gap between traditional academia and the world of business...
Cranfield is a globally significant centre of expertise and enterprise in science, technology, engineering and management; an
exceptional environment for strongly business-engaged research and innovation and for postgraduate and post-experience education
and training. We are renowned for outstanding people and programmes and for the impact of our work.Gordon Page CBEPro–Chancellor, Chair of CouncilProfessor Sir John O’Reilly FREngVice–Chancellor, Chair of SenateCranfield University PartnersEverything we do is in partnership. Our sponsors, partners, students, alumni and staff all have a major stake in what we
do and how we do it. They expect us to:
• generate world-class knowledge and innovation in our chosen sectors
• deliver sustainable solutions that meet current and future needs
• provide an excellent, internationally-recognised, learning environment
• produce exceptional professionals ready to contribute to society
• foster personal professional development in a stimulating and supportive workplace.
Working with Cranfield brings for our partners distinctive benefits because of the way in which we bridge the gap between traditional
academia and the world of business._2386f0f6-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515Our mission is to make a distinctive, practical contribution towards a secure society in a sustainable global economy, creating and
transforming knowledge to solve real-world problems. We achieve this by:
• fostering a practical, research and innovation-led environment that inspires people to realise their full potential
• delivering educational programmes that transform the professional lives of our students
• working intimately in partnership with business, governments and others to deliver transformational benefit._2386f20e-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515AgilityBoldnessTeamwork Integrity Passion for SuccessExcellenceResearch & InnovationEnhance our research and innovation profile_2386f2cc-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515Strategic Theme 1We will make the most of the knowledge, skills and abilities of our people – staff and students – in research and innovation activities, operating in productive partnership with business, government and others to innovate faster and deliver value...
Measuring performance:
Progress will be assessed primarily by Research and Innovation measures with Global Reach a supplementary ‘leading’ indicator.Distinctive ProvisionsEnhance yet further our distinctive provision in aerospace, automotive, defence, energy, environment, health, management, manufacturing and security_2386f394-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515ST 1.1Practical ImpactInnovate at pace to create practical impact from academic excellence_2386f45c-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515ST 1.2Standards of ExcellenceDeliver against internationally recognised standards of excellence in all our areas of research and innovation_2386f52e-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515ST 1.3Innovation Income & Intellectual PropertyProactively grow our research and innovation income and margin, and develop and exploit our know-how and portfolio of intellectual property_2386f600-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515ST 1.4Global ImpactIncrease our impact globally_2386f6dc-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515Strategic Theme 2We will further enhance our distinctive role between a conventional university and business, operating across the interface between knowledge creation and transformation, realising impact across the globe by developing sustainable solutions to real-world problems and seeing these through to commercial take up and practical deployment...
Measuring performance:
Progress will be assessed in terms of Global Reach and Student Recruitment.PartnershipsPursue, secure and maintain productive strategic partnerships globally
_2386f7b8-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515ST 2.1Entrepreneurial EnvironmentFoster an entrepreneurial environment, both individually and corporately, to create economic, environmental and social benefit_2386f966-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515ST 2.2Public Policy & SocietyInform and influence public policy and society more widely_2386fa60-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515ST 2.3Human PotentialInspire our people to achieve their full potential_2386fb50-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515Strategic Theme 3Postgraduate StudentsProfessional Development Course ParticipantsWe will maximise the opportunities for postgraduate students, professional development course participants and staff to achieve their potential in their chosen fields through learning and teaching and the integration of research,
innovation and enterprise...
Measuring performance:
Progress will be assessed in terms of Quality of Experience, Research and Innovation, and Environmental Development.TeamworkWork as one team, valuing and developing the contributions of all our people_2386fc5e-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515ST 3.1Experience & EnvironmentProvide a research and innovation experience and environment attractive to the world’s best talent_2386fd6c-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515ST 3.2Postgraduate Students Researchers Cranfield University Academic StaffCranfield University Support StaffPostgraduate Student ExperienceDevelop an exceptional postgraduate student experience grounded in inspirational learning, teaching and research supervision and leadership_2386fe7a-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515ST 3.3Postgraduate StudentsLearning & Entrepreneurial OpportunitiesTranslate excellence in research, innovation and enterprise into learning and entrepreneurial opportunities for all members of the University_2386ffb0-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515ST 3.4Cranfield University MembersPeople & OrganisationExcellent people and organisation_238700c8-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515Key Enabler 1People are central to Cranfield’s success. Our future achievements will depend on the commitment, dedication and professionalism of all members of the University (including associated companies and units in the wider Cranfield group) as we work together to make our distinctive contributions and develop ourselves to our full potential...
Measuring performance:
Progress will be assessed in terms of Quality of Experience and Environmental Development.PeopleProactively attract, support and develop high-quality people across all areas of activity_238701ea-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515KE 1.1CapabilityEnhance our technical, leadership and management capability, blending empowerment and collaboration to deliver effective and efficient processes throughout the organisation_2387032a-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515KE 1.2PerformanceBuild and maintain world-class performance, engaging everyone in delivering our strategy_2387046a-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515KE 1.3FinanceFinancial sustainability_238705a0-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515Key Enabler 2Cranfield University ExecutiveCranfield University CouncilPrudent financial planning and management will underpin our future success by ensuring that we secure, conserve and properly utilise our available resources...
Measuring performance:
Progress will be assessed in terms of Financial Health measures, underpinned by close scrutiny of full financial data and accounts by the University Executive and Council.Growth & DiversificationGrow and diversify sources of income, enhancing contribution levels across our activities to ensure resilience_23870708-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515KE 2.1Academic & Financial SustainabilityWork to achieve academic and financial sustainability while investing in our future_2387085c-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515KE 2.2ManagementManage risk, costs and resources to deliver our strategic priorities_238709a6-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515KE 2.3EnvironmentA collaborative and supportive environment_23870b22-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515Key Enabler 3A mutually–supportive organisational culture, responsive working practices and a sound physical estate and facilities are interdependent in ensuring the effectiveness and smooth-running of the University...
Measuring performance:
Progress will be assessed in terms of Quality of Experience and Environmental Development.WorkplacePromote organisational collaboration and wellbeing and secure a safe, healthy and productive workplace_23870c8a-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515KE 3.1FacilitiesDevelop and maintain first-class teaching and industrial-scale research facilities_23870df2-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515KE 3.2ProcessesDeliver effective and efficient processes throughout the organisation_23870f82-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515KE 3.3Sustainable Environmentprovide a sustainable environment within which to live and work_238710fe-3c3a-11e2-a139-2197cf2fd515KE 3.42011-01-012015-12-302012-12-01OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net