It's Academic (Scenario)
Rachel is the academic dean for a regional community college. The president has asked her to develop a plan for the college. He wants a plan covering the next five years, and he wants it to be as specific as possible, but not to the extent that it constrains flexibility. In developing the plan, Rachel must address several emerging issues, including advancements in teaching technology, shifting demand for various academic programs, declining student enrolment, and increasing competition from other schools. Despite projections that student enrolment will continue to decline over the next five years, Rachel must ensure that the plan allows the college to meet its employment obligations to tenured faculty who have been offered long-term teaching positions.
-The president's instructions to Rachel illustrate the tradeoff between the ________ of specific plans versus the ________ of directional plans.
A)longer time frames; higher specificity
B)wider breadth; shorter time frames
C)increased clarity; higher flexibility
D)urgency; reduced flexibility

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The president's request for a plan that is specific but not constraining demonstrates the tradeoff between the increased clarity that comes with specific plans and the higher flexibility provided by directional plans. This suggests that the plan should strive for specificity where possible while still allowing for enough flexibility to adapt to emergent circumstances. The other answer choices are not supported by the scenario.

It's Academic (Scenario) Rachel Is the Academic Dean for a Regional Community College