Strategic planning at teachers service commission of Kenya

Abstract

Strategic planning is a sequence of analytical and evaluative procedures that are followed to formulate an intended strategy and the means of implementing it. Approaches to strategic planning range from top-down, bottom-up and negotiated approach. Such processes may take the form of highly systematized step-by-step chronological procedures involving many different parts of the organization hence the rational approach to strategic planning characterized by variables such as degree of formality, approaches, source of power, level of participation, frequency of reviews and degree of flexibility. This research project sought to investigate how strategic planning is done at Teachers Service Commission of Kenya. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. In-depth interviews were carried out on senior managers who participated in the strategic planning process at the Commission. Although the researcher intended to interview six respondents, he was able to interview four of them. The other two could not be contacted due to commitments out of the office. The study results shows that strategic planning at T.S.C is formal and the top management control the process. The key steps in strategic planning process at T.S.C are: (i) Development of corporate identity (logo) (ii) Setting the vision and mission statements (iii) Development of commission objectives 4"- (iv) Training of participants on principles of s-tr.ategic planning. (v) Carrying out service area SWOT analysis and development of strategies. (vi) Brainstorming sessions and report writing. (vii) Stakeholders' forum (viii) Budgeting and approval by CEO (ix) Implementation (x) Evaluation and control. The Commission has put in place a formal strategic planning process with annual evaluation and control mechanisms. Strategy development and strategic planning v processes were carried out simultaneously by the top management that included the chief executive officer, Commission chairman, Commissioners, and heads of departments, divisions and sections. Strategic planning at the Commission takes place at the functional level before being adopted at the corporate level. Due to the nature and size of the Commission, the process faced a myriad of challenges ranging from limited funds, lack of technical personnel and external interference.