Getting Started
Anthology Planning replaced WEAVE as SMU's strategic planning software in Spring 2023.
Each academic department and division on campus utilizes the Program-Level Assessment method as part of regular strategic planning. Faculty define key Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) that align with their degree program’s mission, ensuring that the outcomes reflect the program’s core purpose and educational objectives. These SLOs guide assessment efforts, measuring the extent to which students achieve the intended learning outcomes. Faculty then review assessment results and implement strategic improvements to enhance student success.
In addition to SLOs, departments establish Program Goals (PGs), which may include rankings, post-graduation employment rates, graduate school admissions, and faculty or student growth. The assessment report serves as a living historical document, demonstrating the program’s achievements and ongoing commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.
The Office of Institutional Planning and Effectiveness (IPE) recommends a phased approach to completing the annual assessment report throughout the academic year:
- Plan: Review and/or update program mission statement, student learning outcomes, program goals and their associated measures and targets.
- Do: Collect data for the student learning outcomes and program goals being evaluated.
- Check: Review results and reflect on findings for the student learning outcomes and program goals being evaluated.
- Act: Establish and implement action plans for unmet targets, and provide a status update on the previous year's action plan(s).
The annual deadline to complete program assessment reports in Anthology Planning is July 31st.
Note: Beginning August 1, 2024, Program Student Learning Outcomes (PLOs) and Program Operational Objectives (POs) will be renamed Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) and Program Goals (PGs), respectively, to better align with academic program terminology.