In 1997, the accelerating pace of information technology change and the pervasive growth of the World-Wide-Web (WWW or simply, the "Web") suggested a new model for university IT planning. Instead of a cyclic, product-oriented planning process, the CIO championed a dynamic, interactive approach. Inspired by a quote from President Dwight D. Eisenhower ["Plans are nothing. Planning is everything."], the new model sought to encourage a more-or-less continual discussion of planning issues.

In the new approach, the "IT Plan" would exist on the Web, freed from the natural constraints of cyclic planning. In other words, it could be updated and changed as needed based on circumstances and discussions of the time. Long-term objectives that persist would remain constant. But new opportunities, initiatives and mandates could be dealt with in the most responsive way possible.

The value-dimensions provided by the Web included the flexibility and ease with which changes to the plan could be made, and the immediate availability of the results to anyone who was interested.  Broad involvement and representation from faculty, staff and students was sought in the ongoing discussions of the various committees. By making the resulting changes to the IT Plan immediately available on the WSU Intranet, all interested parties could be made aware of the basic assumptions, participating entities, resources, proposed implementation actions and results [outcomes] of the information technology planning process.