National Quality Assurance and Accreditation Committee & Quality Assurance and Accreditation Project Action Planning Workshop January 2007

Session 1 Introduction

Purpose To support institutions in their action planning towards their application for accreditation by the Agency

Outcomes 1. Place action planning in the context of the development of internal quality assurance systems and processes 2. Identify good practice in action planning 3. Evaluate current action planning and help participants to implement action planning in their institutions

The Context  Towards Accreditation by the Agency  Enhancement-led Transitional Period  Experience in Developmental Engagements  Follow up  Good practice emerging  Increasing sources of information for action planning  QAAP Guidelines

Session 2 Design of action plans

Action planning  What is to be achieved?  Why?  When?  How?  How will you know it is achieved (or not?)  Who?  Is the plan evidence based?

Key Steps in Action Planning  Mission-related  Drawing on information (strengths and weaknesses)  Taking a strategic approach  Carrying the range of stakeholders with you  Using available techniques and tools

SMART S pecific MeasurableAgreedRealisticTime-related

Managing time horizons Short term annual action plans Medium term towards accreditation Long term towards the vision

How inclusive is the plan? All educational activities are to be included

Activity I 1. Use the template provided 2. Evaluate the actions plans provided 3. Identify good practice 4. Identify ways they could be improved 5. Record findings to present to the workshop

Session 3 Implementing action planning

Clear responsibility for action plan and delivery Clear responsibility for action plan and delivery Clear goals Clear goals Manage the process Manage the process Involve all colleagues Involve all colleagues Check progress Check progress Be flexible and responsive to new developments Be flexible and responsive to new developments Inform Inform

How will you know you are achieving?  Use measures or targets  Build in stages/phases of progress  Monitor and report on progress  Allow for continuing change  Use what if scenarios  Use risk management

Who is responsible for delivering? Differentiate between what is directly within the control of the faculty, and the need to involve others such as external stakeholders (for example, the university, employing community, ministry, supreme council, or others)

When will the plan be achieved and you are ready for accreditation by the Agency? For each identified item & For the whole plan  Use mission, strategic objectives and evaluation criteria as reference points  Monitor progress  Endorse achievements in faculty council

What is your budget for the plan ?  Prepare estimates of costs and resources - for each item - for the planning process  Identify potential sources of funds  Keep budget and accounts

Implementation: “Actions not words!”  When – start now  How – use developing internal quality assurance system  Who – designate responsibilities  Monitor progress and report regularly  Adapt to changes and new developments

Activity II 1. Read the scenario 2. Use the guidelines provided 3. Refer to the conclusions provided 4. Construct a section of the action plan as guided in the workshop 5. Record findings and recommendations to present to the workshop

Conclusions and Next Steps  Effective action planning  Towards Accreditation by the Agency  Building on the internal quality assurance system and process  Content and Process  Applying available techniques and tools  Using the template and guidelines  Implementation, monitoring and reporting  Achievement