1. When Things Go Wrong ????
Using Problem Assessment Charts to Build Your Plan Forward
Elizabeth Wall-O’Brien
Scholar Programs

2. Discussion Overview Review: Assessment Check List
Surprise: We have a problem!
Rethink: Problem Assessment Charts/Concept Maps
Revise: Assessment is ongoing
Questions: ????????????????

3. Big Picture: It’s an aligned plan!
Mission
Goal
Objective

4. SMART Objectives/Outcomes
Specific
Measurable/Observable (Frequency, Duration, Intensity)
Attainable
Realistic
Time Driven S M A R T

5. Check List
Problem
Research
Develop Plan
Feedback
Revise
Evaluate

6. Careful Planning…. Example An Event for Students
Set Up
Details
Scheduling
Promotion
Preparation
Implementation
Evaluation
Find Space
Select time
Invite speakers/panelists
Set up event on E&I
Set up technology
Order Food
Publicize
Prepare
Develop pre-tests/post-tests
Monitor RSVP

7. “If you Build it They Will Come” ??
We monitored RSVPs on the CRM
We sent reminders
The numbers looked great
We prepared sign- in sheets
Printed out Pre-Post tests
Made sure to include event feedback forms
We assigned a college assistant to monitor attendance and pre/post test administration
WE WERE READY!!!!

8. What kind of assumptions did we make?
Where Are They?
Students who said they would come, did not attend!!!!
Fortunately many students who did not submit RSVPS, showed up
?????
Questions: We know students need and want these events so what’s going on here?
What kind of assumptions did we make?

9. Gather Data Question the answers Test assumptions Pre-test /Post Test
Ask Questions
Develop Hypotheses
Question the answers
Test assumptions
Pre-test /Post Test
Interviews
Survey
Consult
Brainstorm!

10. Problem Assessment Charts
Heavily used in public health to identify underlying causes of barriers to health
Provides a way to look at problems through interdisciplinary/multi- systemic lenses
Evidence driven
Designed to show complex relationships

11. Problem Assessment Many students take Wednesday’s off
Brainstorm……
Keep Brain Storming…
Many students take Wednesday’s off
Students work on Wednesdays
Many of our students have labs at Brookdale on Wednesdays
Students don’t read s
There are competing events
Students don’t know about the event
Other obligations compete
Students want to attend but academic pressures intervene especially if an event is planned near midterm/final exams or “something comes up”.
The time is not convenient
The location is not convenient

12. Factors Affecting Attendance At Events
Scheduling
Promotion
Other
Competing Events
Work
Methods
Tracking ? ?
Labs
Conflict
Dean’s Hours ?
Reliability
Off

13. Work Backwards Timing of Event Group Influences Student Variables
Competition
PROBLEM
Student Attendance at Events
Individual Influences
Shift in Priorities
????
Program
????
Program Planning Variables
Promotion
Communication
Methods
Other Variables
????

14. Use a Decision Matrix High Importance High Changeability
Low Changeability
Low Importance

15. Using Assessment to find Answers….
Articulate the Problem
Brainstorm potential causes
Map the results using Problem Assessment Diagrams
Look for common themes and trace the problem to the source
Make recommendations and craft a new plan
Test the plan and revise as needed

16. QUESTIONS?