Planning Unit

Heads of department responsibilities

Most of the responsibilities expected of a Head of Department in relation to the Planning Unit's functions are covered elsewhere in this document, but it is worth spelling them out separately as follows:

• encouraging a constructive approach to strategic and operational planning within the department, including realistic projections of future staffing requirements, student targets and fee levels for new programmes (and where appropriate the withdrawal of programmes) and research developments, as all of these activities have resource implications that should be addressed in good time and through the appropriate channels;
   
• ensuring that a watchful eye is kept on the performance of the department, not just teaching and research, but also its market position, student admissions processes and their out-turn, and necessary action taken;
   
• keeping colleagues adequately informed, particularly on planning matters and the use of resources in an effective and efficient manner.

Resource Allocation Model

The School operates a factor-based Resource Allocation Model (RAM) whereby resources are centrally allocated to academic units via the Academic Planning and Resources Committee (APRC). In order to provide the APRC with a more holistic view of departmental activity, the RAM employs four indicators (with the possibility of a fifth indicator if a measure of student satisfaction can be agreed):

• Student : Staff Ratio with differential weightings according to student degree level and year of undergraduate study;
• Financial contribution in terms of surplus/deficit, derived from the data underpinning the School’s financial forecasts;
• Salary costs as a percentage of departmental income;
• Student demand/programme health indicators flagging any problem areas with student recruitment or programme size.

Although the RAM suggests changes to staffing and student levels, these are not automatic and will not be made without taking the departmental context into consideration. The RAM indicators form part of the Annual Monitoring discussions scheduled to take place during the Michaelmas Term. Additional resources need to be justified on the basis that they are a means to achieve the departmental strategy and not requested with reference to the RAM indicators in isolation. Some variation in the indicators between departments is to be expected and the APRC has explicitly acknowledged the need for cross-subsidisation to maintain the full range of social sciences within the School. If a department is identified as an outlier on a particular measure then explanations for this deviation will be sought and recorded rather than notional adjustments being made to the RAM.

A secure website has been set up to distribute the RAM information for all departments. The website contains the indicators and detailed data sheets for each department plus a summary table showing the main indicators for all departments. It can be accessed at the following address using the normal LSE log-in and password:
https://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/planningUnit/internal/staff/conveners/Resource_Allocation_Model.htm 

A detailed set of guidelines for the RAM is also available via the website. The Planning Unit offers briefing sessions on request for Heads of Department and Departmental Managers (either individually or in small groups) to address issues of concern with the RAM and/or explain the underpinning data and concepts.

Any comments on the RAM methodology/outcomes and requests for briefing sessions should be addressed in the first instance to Wayne Tatlow (w.n.tatlow@lse.ac.uk).

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