anyone know anything about planning in academia? need help for interview

[hatwoman]

I have an interview for a snr research fellow post and I need to give a presentation on what I would do if given the job. I'm used to planning in an NGO environment, where we had 6-year strategic plans, and 2-year operational plans. the stragetic plan would have broad goals - almost a list of issues the organisation will cover - and the 2-year plan is much more about the steps needed to get there. does this sound anything like what happens in a university dept? I guess the parallel would be a certain number of named research projects (this would be like the strategic plan) and then a more precise set of activities - including securing funding - for each project (like the operational plan). also do you set specific goals - like x number of peer-reviewed journal articles, or is that getting too precise? any other thoughts very much appreciated.

Okay not an academic, but live with one...
I would say: sources of funding and securing
Published research (outcomes) RAE is big of course. Growing depts reputation in research - students? (PGs partic).

You'll need to talk about the possible change of emphasis of Research Excellence Framework (REF) rather than Research Assessment Exercise now. (There is more reward for research which has social and economic impact).

Have a look on HEFCE's website for some information about funding (or SFC or HEFCW) if in Scotland or Wales and the relevant research council website depending on the subject of the dept.

Oh god - yes you are right, dp was banging on about how it has to be have impact outside academia (easier said than done in some subjects.....!)
Check whether your uni is big (or wants to be) internationally as well - as you need to gear things to achieve that. Or do they want to increase PG numbers? (just thinking of things that are big in dp's uni)

thanks - just had a quick look and it all seems really useful. the dept is looking to expand consultancy work (which is what I currently do) so I guess I can talk about links between that and the REF - the whole impact outside academia thing...(see what I just did there?...picking up the lingo...)

clearly a natural