Improve

The continuous improvement phase is where changes are implemented based on the findings of your assessment report. This ensures that lessons learned are applied to enhance programs, services, courses, and processes in a thoughtful and measurable way. All improvements should be documented in the assessment plan for the next cycle to maintain continuity and accountability.

Improvement Plan

Enhancement begins with a structured Improvement Plan immediately after the assessment is completed. The plan guides each improvement by clearly defining objectives, assigning responsibility, specifying timelines and resources, and documenting the change and its rationale in the next assessment cycle.

Improvement Plan Guiding Questions

Here are some questions to guide your improvement planning.

• What specific change or improvement is being made?
• Who is responsible for implementing the change?
• What resources, support, or costs are needed?
• When will the change be implemented? Is the timeline realistic?
• How will we measure success and evaluate the impact of the change?
• Are other program elements being kept constant to isolate the effect of this improvement?
• How will the change and its rationale be documented?
• How will stakeholders be informed about the change and its outcomes?
• How will this improvement be incorporated into the next year’s assessment plan?
• What lessons have we learned, and are additional changes needed?

Key Principles for Improvement

Several principles should help you narrow your improvement plan.

• Focus Change: Implement one improvement at a time whenever possible. Avoid multiple simultaneous changes to clearly evaluate impact.
• Document the Change: Record what was changed, why, and how it will be implemented.
• Use Evidence-Based Decisions: Base improvements on assessment data, stakeholder feedback, and best practices.
• Engage Stakeholders: Involve faculty, staff, students, and other relevant parties to gain perspectives and ensure buy-in.
• Set Clear Objectives and Timelines: Define success, assign responsibility, and specify implementation timing.

Types of Improvement

There are several different types of improvement..

Action Plan

Enhancement begins with an action plan just after the assessment is completed.

• Consists of objectives, even if the objective is to replace a current objective with a new objective.
• Identify team/person responsible for completing each objective.