This paper and the accompanying workshop propose the adaptation of a product- based planning model to assist higher education strategists in developing their responses to external and internal change. Traditional change management techniques, primarily designed for the commercial sector, have provided limited help. ‘Product-based Planning’ is well established in UK commercial and public sector project management through its use in the government standard for project management, PRINCE (PRojects IN Controlled Environments). This methodology supports the user in identifying their ultimate aim and to concretize this as a ‘product’. Other wishes, desires, challenges and pressures are similarly de-personalized and a model is developed which expresses the logical flow from key change- drivers to the target situation. A model of this type provides a basis for debate and critical reflection, whilst assisting in the clarification of the views of different stakeholders. The potential of this approach is explored through its ‘speculative’ application to the strategic evolution of a pedagogical research and development centre within a UK university. The effectiveness of the approach is considered through the reflective use of ‘personal inquiry’.

Keywords: Change management, product flow diagram, higher education strategy