7 Action Plan
The primary goal of program review is to support program improvement. Action planning is essential in translating a long list of good ideas into a manageable list of specific goals that a program can achieve during the coming years to move the program forward. The Action Plan should be a direct, documented outgrowth of the program review process.
The Action Plan shows what and how the program will respond to the program review findings. Note, there is a tendency to take on most of the Action Plan items immediately, and consequently overloading the program. The recommended approach is to stage a selection of manageable projects over the subsequent years, thereby involving the program in constant program improvement in a measured, sustainable way.
Instructions for Program Review Teams
Timeline: March 1 – May 15
Recommended Submission Date: May 15
- Read Module 7 in the Program Review Handbook.
- Attend the Action Planning Workshop in March.
- Complete the Action Plan template by considering all of the data collected during the program review course:
- Seek Dean approval of the Action Plan.
- Submit the completed Action Plan to the Associate Director.
Action Planning Workshop Agenda
The Action Planning Workshop is 90 minutes in duration and intended to create a space for faculty, chairs, and deans to discuss the program review findings and draft goals for program improvement.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:45 – 9:00 | Refreshments (e.g., coffee, tea, pastries, muffins, fruit salad) |
| 9:00 – 9:15 | Welcome, introductions, and purpose of action planning |
| 9:15 – 9:50 | Guided working session to identify broad themes evident in the data |
| 9:50 – 10:10 | Guided working session to categorize themes based on (1) internal goals that the program can control, and (2) external goals that are more difficult to modify. |
| 10:10 – 10:30 | Large group discussion to explore Frameworks for Implementing Goals Worksheet (PDF) (if time permits) |
The following materials are provided to faculty, chairs, and deans at least one week prior to the Workshop:
- Binders containing copies of all program review data for each program (e.g., self-study, external reviewer report, surveys, SOAR report)
- Action Plan Template (PDF)
- Frameworks for Implementing Goals Worksheet (PDF)
Workshop Facilitators
Office of Quality Assurance
- Director
- Quality assurance practitioner
Learning Outcomes
During the Workshop, participants will:
- identify broad themes evident in the data
- draft approximately six to ten goals based on the themes
- explore frameworks for implementing the goals
Optional Customized Action Planning Workshop
The office of quality assurance offers a three-hour customized Action Planning Workshop by request. The Workshop provides protected time and space for program faculty to reflect upon the data gathered during the program review and begin to draft the Action Plan. An overview of the Workshop and agenda are available in the following PDF:
- CUSTOMIZED Action Plan Workshop Agenda (PDF)
- Action Planning Methodology (PDF)
- Action Plan Template – LARGE (PDF)
Prior to the workshop, faculty complete a short survey to answer the following questions:
- Question 1a: Identify one goal for program improvement based on findings from the program review.
- Question 1b: Identify the source of evidence that supports the need for this goal (e.g., student survey results, external reviewer recommendation).
- Question 2a: Identify one goal for program improvement based on findings from the program review.
- Question 2b: Identify the source of evidence that supports the need for this goal (e.g., student survey results, external reviewer recommendation).
- Question 3a: Identify one goal for program improvement based on findings from the program review.
- Question 3b: Identify the source of evidence that supports the need for this goal (e.g., student survey results, external reviewer recommendation).
The responses to 1a, 2a, and 3a are then transferred to large sticky notes and used as the jumping off point for the workshop activities, including sorting and theming.
