Higher education can be businesslike without assuming all of the trappings of an intensely competitive business model. The time is now to streamline operations and organizations to facilitate long-term growth potential. The Compass Business Performance Improvement Consultation is designed to assess the attributes and features of a higher education institution that are signal indicators of efficiency and effectiveness while respecting the structures that remain critical to academic mission fulfillment. Compass consultants quickly orient to the core mission, academic services, and critical support components.
They arrive at benchmarks to measure the performance of support and administrative services against comparable institutions and identify opportunities for improvement and cost reduction. Compass applies principles derived from lean design and total quality management to support a participatory process of redesigning services and functions identified as sub-optimum performers. The three phases of a performance improvement consultation include.
Orientation and Assessment.
Compass consultants rapidly learn about the organization and its mission, vision, values, and current state. What are the significant challenges being confronted? Where are the consistent strengths? How do various constituencies value the organization’s performance? What metrics are in place, and how are they measured?
Opportunity Mapping.
Compass uses the information obtained in Step 1 to outline potential opportunities for improvement, calculating the cost/benefit of change and remaining mindful that not all costs are measurable in financial terms. Priorities for potential improvement are ranked ordered by a calculation matrix using indices of complexity, benefit, time to achievement, resources required, and other inputs developed by Compass.
Corrective Action Planning.
Compass consultants present a proposed plan for addressing opportunities for improvement, including a project management approach.
Why Compass Interim Executives?
Compass interims arrive with a proven methodology for mastering the challenges of the position. They are supported by senior consultants able to give knowledgeable advice and guidance on complex operational, regulatory, accreditation, or academic issues. The Compass interim assignment process parallels an executive search. We take time to assess the specific needs of the anticipated vacancy, present candidates for interview and follow candidate selection with a continuous process of interim oversight to promote success in meeting organizational goals.
How Does it Work?
Example: A university and academic medical center discovered that the research function was not fulfilling regulatory and operational requirements. The selected Compass interim vice president was able to reorganize reporting relationships to emphasize accountability and communication, manage re-accreditation of the research function, successfully revitalize the IRB function, and continue successful sponsored research initiatives while supporting the acquisition of additional sponsored research resources.
Another state-sponsored university sought Compass interim assistance when faced with an unplanned vacancy in student services leadership. The Compass interim vice president quickly assumed responsibility for a complex organization, addressing the needs of undergraduate, graduate medical, and other professional school students. The interim implemented a new student services information system, oversaw the reorganization of key student service functions, and reduced costs while enhancing student satisfaction scores.
Implement Change or Turnaround Strategy without Disruption
Compass interims can quickly assess situational demands, craft action plans, and implement strategy while the organization searches for permanent placement, promoting progress without disruption even in the face of a key position vacancy.
