This study is aimed at exploring the status of practicing strategic plan (SP) and strategic implementation (SI) in Ethiopian First Generation Public Universities (EFGPUs). More analytically, it examines the size and direction to which each of the independent variables (predictors) were explaining the existed status of the two dependent variables (criterion) (SP and SI). It also analyzes the link between these two practices (SP and SI) as well as the contribution of institutional factors in fostering effectiveness of these practices in the Universities. Methodologically, the study applied mixed but dominantly quantitative approach. Accordingly, quantitative and qualitative data were gathered from the randomly selected three (Arba Mich, Bahir Dar and Jimma) Universities. Both primary and secondary data were gathered and analyzed to seek findings behind the above issues related to the practices of SP and SI. Primary data were obtained from a total of 382 respondents. Out of these, 353 (institutional leaders and teachers) were selected by applying simple random sampling technique and filled questionnaires. On top of this, 14 interviewees and 15 focus group members were purposely selected from the individuals with rich information and studentsâ€™ council members, respectively. On the other hand, secondary data were garnered from documents reviewed. The documents used included proclamations, Ethiopian education sector development programs, Ethiopian education and training policy, Ethiopian Higher education policy, Ethiopian growth and transformation plan, plans and performance reports of the strategic plans of each of the Universities. Ultimately, the data were analyzed and findings were investigated. Accordingly, 96% of the respondents showed somewhat strong part that all of the studied Universities developed and tried to start implementing their own strategic plan since 2008 E.C. Similarly, vast majority (80%) of the respondents indicated that top down planning approach was dominantly applied in practicing SPrnviiirnand SI in the institutions. However, it was reported that contents of strategic plan was weaklyrn(mean= 2.989) specified in the strategic plans of the EFGPUs. The more worrisome part of the findings was that active participation of concerned bodies in developing, commenting and amending as well as approving the strategic plan was weak (mean=2.74). Even though, it was encouraging that the Universities moderately (mean=3.98) distributed their strategic plans to each of their working units, there was no remarkable efforts (mean=2.48) made by the work units in setting their own operational plans and putting the plans into actions. The study also indicated that the link (association) between the practices of SP and SI was found to be moderately positive (r=0.441, Ï¼