Abstract:

Having a strategic plan for an institution is not sufficient to ensure successful implementation of its objectives. In fact, turning a strategic plan into actions and ensuring that the organization is on the right way to achieve its goals might be the most complicated phase in the whole process of strategic plan management. Complexity increases definitely in large organizations with diverse operations. However, rapid advance in technology provides various solutions for managing and controlling the process of implementing strategic plans. Enterprise Performance Management Software (EPM) is one of the available technical solutions. While there are several advantages to using such software for this purpose, many factors need to be taken into consideration such as cost of technology, readiness, users perception, etc.

Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) has adopted an EPM software to monitor the implementation of its strategic plan 2009-2013. The process of adopting and implementing this software has passed through many phases starting from defining the selection criteria to the phase of training the users. The responsibility of administrating the software and monitoring the whole process was assigned to a central unit at the university which would regularly follow up and report progress to senior management at the university.

Based on the real case of SQU, this paper highlights the drive behind adopting this software in SQU and the criteria used to select the software. The paper also documents the main phases of implementation and the challenges faced during the process. Moreover, it highlights the benefits gained and the lessons learned from utilizing technology in strategic plan management.

Keywords:

Enterprise, Performance, Management Software, Monitoring, Strategic Plans.