NPAC identifies
potential blind spots through the systematic use of data from
a variety of sources, assessment of risks, and identification of
tactics to mitigate the risks. Strategic challenges and advantages
and core competencies are reviewed and/or determined
at the annual strategy retreat. NPAC members rank the
challenges, using data on higher education trends, market
developments, changes in the competitive environment,
stakeholder feedback, and NCON performance. For each
challenge, the most important corresponding advantages
are identified and discussed. To ensure sustainability, core
competencies are then examined in light of the market and
strategic challenges faced by the college.