446 Academic Programs: Building a University-Wide Program Viability Model
A consistent portfolio model replaced isolated program arguments with shared evidence across 446 academic programs.
Problem
The institution needed a decision process that could operate at portfolio scale without reducing academic judgment to anecdote or a single metric.
SEE
Build a common evidence base, identify assumptions and constraints, and make the institutional context visible before choosing an intervention.
DECIDE
Translate the evidence into explicit choices, criteria, governance, and tradeoffs. Preserve judgment, but require the judgment to be explainable.
MOVE
Connect the decision to owners, capacity, resources, implementation, communication, and review. A recommendation without movement is merely well-formatted hesitation.
What other institutions can apply
Use common definitions, transparent criteria, explicit decision rights, and a review loop. Adapt the weights and governance to local mission rather than copying a formula.
Turn the issue into a decision
Start with the Strategic Clarity Assessment. If the decision is already on your desk, book a Strategic Clarity Discovery Call.