1. Sterling Examiner Preparation
Evaluating Applications:
Introduction to Key Factors
© Florida Sterling Council 2016 – All rights reserved.

2. Purpose
This training provides an introduction to Key Factors, one of the first steps in the Independent Evaluation process, to prepare Examiners for the Evaluating Applications Workshop and facilitate completion of the Case Study
Upon completion of this training participants will:
Understand the definition of Key Factors
Realize the significance of Key Factors
Be familiar with the Organizational Profile purpose and content
Learn how to identify an organization’s Key Factors

3. What are Key Factors?
Key attributes important to an organization that influence the way it operates
Environment, key working relationships, strategic situation, sector, size, locations, demographics, workforce, customer base, and competitors
Key attributes that explain the relevant areas of the Criteria
What makes the Criteria work for all sizes and types of organizations.

4. What are Key Factors? Real life examples:
Everyone has to buy food – How would this process look different for a two person household and a ten person household? What about a family vs. an institution?
Succession planning – Will this process look the same in a large private organization as it would for a public organization with elected officials?

5. Key Factors Significance
Key Factors help you understand the importance and relevance of processes and results to prioritize your evaluation of the organization
Set the stage for your evaluation and analysis
Identify gaps in key information
Focus on key performance requirements and results

6. Key Factors Significance
Examiners use Key Factors throughout the examination process:
For each Criteria Item (e.g. 1.1), you select the 4 to 6 most important and relevant Key Factors applicable to the Criteria requirements for that Item
As you develop Strengths and Opportunities for Improvement (OFIs), you review Key Factors for alignment and applicability
For each opportunity, Key Factors demonstrate the importance to the organization
You will learn more about this process step during Evaluating Applications Workshop and the Examiner Training

7. Where Do I Find Key Factors?
Most Key Factors will be found in the five page Organizational Profile (in the application).
Read Pages i-iv in the Case Study (Organizational Profile) and the Key Factors Worksheet provided

8. Organizational Profile Overview
Each application contains a 5 page Organizational Profile that provides an overview of the organization, including:
The context in which an organization operates
The key requirements for current and future success and sustainability
The needs, opportunities, and constraints placed on an organization’s management systems

9. Organizational Profile Overview
The Organizational Profile requires responses to a series of “What” questions:
P.1 is a description of the organization’s operating environment and key relationships with customers, suppliers, partners, and stakeholders
P.2 is a description of the organization’s competitive environment, key strategic challenges and advantages, and the system for performance improvement

10. Organizational Profile Overview
Read the Organizational Profile description on in the Sterling Management System Resource Guide ( )
Highlight key words to familiarize yourself with the purpose and content of the Organizational Profile

11. Other Places to Find Key Factors
Most Key Factors will be found in the Organizational Profile
However, there may be additional Key Factors found in the Eligibility Form or within responses to the Criteria Items
List any Key Factors (organizational attributes) regardless of where found in the application
The Key Factors worksheet may be updated as you learn more about the organization throughout the process

12. To Identify Key Factors
Read each Organizational Profile question in the Resource Guide
Read the organization’s response
Highlight key words that answer each question
You will discuss Key Factors in the Criteria 101 workshop, and learn to use these in the Evaluating Applications workshop
A completed Key Factors Worksheet is provided to facilitate your Case Study Evaluation

13. Evaluating Applications Pre-Work
Prior to the Evaluating Applications workshop:
Complete the pre-work instructions found in the Examiner Training Requirements file located on the Sterling Web-site (located under the Training & Education link, Examiner Document Downloads)
Print and complete the certificate on the following slide and bring it with you to the Evaluating Applications workshop
For questions or additional information, contact your mentor or the Sterling Office at

14. Key Factors Training Certificate
Complete and print this page and turn in at the Evaluating Applications Workshop.
Name:
Date:
Mentor Name (1st year Examiners):
© Florida Sterling Council 2016 – All rights reserved.