This project is currently work in progress and there is no outcome available at this time.
University of Derby - Original Proposal
SDP leaders
Dr Chris Bussell, Dean, College of Life and Natural Sciences, University of Derby and Claire Bradshaw, UK Development Services
Steering group members
To be confirmed
Project's administrative home
University of Derby
Aims and objectives
This project builds on a phase one research project supported by the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education to establish the feasibility and ecological validity of a new concept, model and associated tools to help organisations engage and align individual’s performance and development to local and institutional objectives. The drivers for the original project were two-fold:
- a recognition of the challenges more traditional approaches to appraisal and performance management have in academia; and
- the need for greater engagement and personal ownership of performance and development.
From the work undertaken as part of the feasibility study (focus groups, 1:1 discussions, and desk top research) we increased our confidence in the proposed concept – “learn from sport” – which has strengthened our resolve to undertake further work, with the support of a Leadership Foundation Small Development Project (SDP).
It is anticipated that the implementation phase that we are now seeking funding and support for will help us test the concept and approach further with test-case Universities, and to further develop practical 3-steps tools, first explored in the phase one project. The focus is on the management of performance at unit/University level, which is a transition away from individual performance management; which is still referenced and tested, but is not the focus of this phase.
Successful implementation in the test case Universities will enable:
- facilitation of discussion with senior leaders to establish what they mean by performance in an academic setting, how they want to create that culture and to test an innovative approach to engaging staff in performance discussions, thereby helping them drive change to meet the challenges of the next 5-10 years;
- institutions to contextualise University planning into Faculty & School (Academic Plans);
- clear articulation of critical success factors with mapping to expectations as defined by and within the Institution;
- specifically align benchmarking performance indicators to expectations and success factors;
- engage staff through medium-long term individual development planning and a coaching-style applied with Development and Performance Reviews; and
- a transition from “busy staff” to “productive University”.
Methodology
A critical part of this project phase is to identify 2 live case study Universities (one may be the University of Derby) who are willing and motivated to try the 3-steps model and methodology and apply it to their performance management approach.
The project stages are:
NB. FAST-TRAC refers to “finding and supporting talent in teaching, research and commercial” and relates to phase 1 SDP proposal.
Proposed outputs and outcomes
We expect the outputs and outcomes to be as follows:
Outputs
- LF Publication to include phase one theory, methodology and approach; and phase two including live test case study write up and lessons learnt. The publication would include recommendations.
- An initial session structure for SMTs in HEIs highlighting the conceptual basis of the 3-steps model and “learn from sport” approach that the LF could to sign post to, or run in collaboration with us, either embedded within other LF programmes or as a stand-alone offering.
- A bespoke approach to a programme structure and methodology through a workshop for HEIs to use in embedding the 3-steps model. The LF could either sign post to, or run in collaboration with us, either as part of another LF programme(s) or as a stand-alone bespoke offering.
- Developed 3-steps model and methodology within the HE context.
- First version of FAST-TRAC tool.
- Institutional guidance (documentation/website).
- Manager’s guide (documentation/website).
Outcomes
- A new holistic, approach to performance management in the University setting;
- Institutions who can better manage performance, and the efficient use of Resources (ref Diamond review), based on a solid understanding of their expectations, mobilisation of resources and key success criteria of individuals; and
- Individuals who feel appropriately supported and challenged.
Possible follow-up activities
- Creation of a licensed FAST-TRAC tool that support the 3-steps model and methodology. This will by necessity, involve excel or online database expertise, which we need to identify.
- Embedding in to University culture and processes through use of 3-steps approach to DPRs, Recruitment, Exit Interviews, Aspiring Managers development and general leadership and management development, academic school plans.
- Rewards and recognition frameworks aligned to “expectations” and Mastery of role/ by individual in role.
- Teamship/departmental reward structures.