Cycle of Continuous Improvement

Eight Steps for Creating an Assessment Cycle in Your Program

1. Define your purpose

• • Reference mission and vision statements

  • Focus on improvement and demonstrated effectiveness

2. Identify your goals

• • Target three to five at a time

3. Identify aligned objectives and outcomes

• • Generate specific, measurable, and observable aims

4. Identify, design, and implement your assessment activities

• • Create and adopt assignments, projects, program activities, workshops, outreach efforts, customer service plans

5. Identify, design, and implement your assessment methods

• • Use multiple (and mixed) methods, e.g., rubrics, checklists, surveys, focus groups, interviews, content analysis

6. Create benchmarks and/or targets

• • Identify standards and/or projected figures to achieve goals, objectives, and outcomes

7. Collect and analyze data

• • Write concise summaries and create data visualizations

8. Develop a report—include actions for continuous improvement

• • Identify at least three actions in your improvement plan
  • Demonstrate effectiveness
  • Share report/findings widely with stakeholders

Tip: Be attentive to logistics and relevant processes, e.g., resource allocation, deliverables, timelines, and responsible parties.