Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of the study was to determine the strategic planning processes in Saudi Arabian public universities and the level of compliance with best practices in strategic planning in Saudi public universities. Theoretical Foundations. The theoretical foundations of this study were based on a rubric the researcher developed of best practices of the strategic planning process. The elements of the rubric derived primarily from the applied strategic planning model, the Baile model, the Coolbaugh model, and the strategy change cycle model. Methodology. The subjects in the present study were 11 strategic planning documents of Saudi public universities. The data sources were the universities' websites, annual reports, and strategic planning documents sent via e-mail, as well as secondary data generated by using content analysis. Findings. First, 11 of the 25 Saudi public universities, or 44%, have completed their strategic plans and 6 of them (55%) created strategic planning models. Second, examination and analysis of the 11 universities' strategic planning documents showed that the majority was aligned successfully with the rubric of best practices of the strategic planning process. Third, the results indicated that the highest percentage of alignment with the rubric was 90%, and only 2 universities achieved this ranking or level. Fourth, 2 universities are following all the components of the SMART method of setting the universities' objectives. Conclusions and Recommendations. The success of the Saudi public universities in following the rubric of best practices of strategic planning should increase the percentage and effectiveness of their strategic plans. Further research is advised on developing a timeframe for each of the tactical objectives and tasks, utilizing the SWOC analysis, from setting the strategic plan to creating the action plan, and creating universities' strategic goals based on the vision statement. The elements in the researcher's rubric of best practices of the strategic planning process can be used as standard element that public universities should follow.