1. Presented By Claudette H. Williams
Next Steps in Completing the Annual Operational Planning Activities for
Presented By
Claudette H. Williams

2. Review 2015 – 2016 Final Report Review each section – Goals Objectives
Enabling Strategies
Assessment
Outcomes – (all subsections)
Use of Results for Improvement (all subsections)

3. Developing the 2016 – 2017 AOP
Use the Operational Planning Guide to complete each section of the IE planning and assessment processes
Be sure to address and incorporate information in the “Use of Results” from the 2015 – 2016 AOP, as needed, in planning for 2016 – 2017
Include benchmarking and relevant quality information gleaned from your review of quality plans in North American higher education institutions to improve the quality of your unit objectives, enabling strategies, assessment measures and outcomes, and to develop new unit goals as needed

4. AOP Review and Approval Process
As indicated in the operational planning guide, the review and approval of AOPs is as follows:
The first level of review is the supervisor to whom the AOP developer reports.
For an academic program, the department chair develops the AOP; this is reviewed and approved by the Dean of the School after he/she determines that the AOP satisfies quality expectations; the AOP is then reviewed and approved by the Provost/VP Academic Affairs; the OIER then reviews and provides feedback for improvement if needed.
If there is need for improvement, the AOP is reviewed and approved in keeping with the previous process.

5. AOP Review and Approval Process
As indicated in the operational planning guide, the review and approval of AOPs is as follows:
The first level of review is the supervisor to whom the AOP developer reports.
For administrative units, the department manager/director develops the AOP; this is reviewed and approved by the Dean of the of the division after determining that the AOP satisfies quality expectations; the AOP is then reviewed and approved by the Vice President for the area; the OIER then reviews and provides feedback for improvement as needed.
If there is need for improvement, the AOP is reviewed and approved in keeping with the previous process.
If the director/manager reports directly to a VP, the VP will be the first level of review and approval, followed by the OIER.

6. Demonstrating institutional effectiveness and quality in unit operations
Periodically monitor the implementation of your AOP
Review and document information related to your implementation activities
Assess the strategies identified to meet expected outcomes
Determine the extent to which implementation of activities is being fulfilled
Modify for improvement if necessary
Be diligent in implementing and documenting the AOP. This will minimize the amount of work needed to demonstrate implementation and outcomes, the results of which may need to be used for improvement as results indicate.

7. Demonstrating institutional effectiveness and quality in unit operations
Gather and analyze data as stipulated in the AOP. Note however, that situations may emerge that yield additional data or require additional assessment and analysis. Do not be afraid to engage in this additional work. It demonstrates the thoughtful application of the institutional effectiveness process.
Make determinations on the extent to which the unit has achieved its goals, objectives, and expected outcomes

8. Demonstrating institutional effectiveness and quality in unit operations
Documenting compliance
Documentation is based on the activity. Among others, documentation may include:
Meeting Minutes
Policies
Procedures
Reports
Assessment data
Forms (duly completed)
Handbooks/Manuals
Catalogue
Artifacts, portfolios, projects, graded examinations, completed surveys

9. Documenting and maintaining compliance
Know the accreditation standards and institutional effectiveness requirements to which you are responding
Plan to satisfy accreditation requirements/standards
Develop, monitor and implement the plan
Note the need for change where applicable
Document the rationale for change based on objective data sources and analysis, or accreditation requirements
Plan for the change
Apply change as needed
Document outcomes

10. Documenting and maintaining compliance
Comply with policies and procedures consistently
Document all relevant activities to ensure reliance is on evidence and not on memory or emotions
Produce reports of activities where appropriate
Forms (must be duly completed)
Handbooks/Manuals (updated as projected; record distribution)
Catalogue (update as projected; record distribution)

11. Documenting and maintaining compliance
Documents should be:
Dated
Signed (if required)
Identified (if taken from a another source)
Relevant section highlighted if embedded
Clearly written or reproduced, and
Archived for subsequent use

12. Completing the Final Report
For each outcome, review and document the results
Analyze data – (What went well and why? What didn’t go so well and why? How can it be improved?)
Determine the results which suggest change
Identify the changes that need to be effected under “Use of Results”
Build these changes into the AOP for the next year using the same system for planning as you did for 2015 – 2016
Link the use of results for improvement from one year to the next

13. Demonstrating institutional effectiveness and quality in unit operations
Respond well to each element of the AOP
Maintain a list of supporting documents for each objective/enabling strategy
Collate supporting documentation according to the list (in the same sequence in which they occur in the response)
Be realistic in setting achievement targets
Use research data/previous results to set achievable, yet challenging targets

14. Thank you for your commitment to practicing institutional effectiveness and ensuring compliance with best practices in higher education!!!