Strengths in the allocation of administrative, financial, and physical resources have enabled Michigan Tech to make great progress in research since 1988, including attaining Carnegie Doctoral II status. To meet goals for the future and continue to improve, new faculty will need more start-up funds, and all faculty will need more equipment and development funding. The organizational structure for research may also need to change, and Research Accounting needs to be able to provide timely and accurate information to researchers.

In summary, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats with regard to research are as follows:

Internal Assessment of the Organization
Strengths Clear mission Doctoral II status Multiple incentives for research Advisory boards Graduate program growth Meeting targets for growth in research volume Effective policies in place for intellectual properties and research integrity New facilities	Weaknesses Insufficient start-up funds Insufficient seed money and equipment funding Research accounting for sponsored programs Effects from problems with spin-offs
Opportunities Industry and government partnerships Communications technology which enables cooperation with other institutions	Threats Competitive external research funding
External Assessment of the Environment

Action Plan

To take advantage of opportunities and remedy concerns with regard to research, the following action plan is recommended. Responsible parties for implementing the recommendations are identified.

This action plan will be integrated into the strategic planning process for 1998/99.

ENDNOTES

1. The annual Publications from Michigan Technological University ceased to be published after 1990, and was just reinstated with a 1994/95 publication.BACK

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