In this tutorial, we'll review several different tools that support project management, including SMART goals, the PDSA cycle, and the RACI protocol. Let's get started. Let's begin by reviewing SMART goals.
Recall that the SMART acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. SMART goals support site-based management by providing clear expectations for goal attainment and providing direction for the teams that we'll be developing and carrying out action plans. Different types of site-based management teams will use SMART goals to reach varying types of targets.
For example, a team that is playing a strategic role will be focused on the strategic initiatives of the district. This requires long-term, big-picture thinking, and so the SMART goals that a strategic team develops and work towards are likely to be broad in scope. In contrast, a team playing a tactical role will be more focused on the specific strategies that are being implemented to reach the SMART goals. And a team playing an operational role will be focused on the operations, or the details of the actual application of those strategies that are addressing the SMART goals.
You've probably seen SMART goals used in all sorts of different situations related to site-based management. School leadership teams might develop SMART goals related to student achievement and student behavior. PLCs may create goals that zero in on the implementation of specific high yield instructional strategies. The goals that are created and the strategies that are chosen to reach those goals, will always be unique to the particular needs of the team and the initiative.
Next, let's consider how the PDSA cycle can support project management. Recall that the PDSA cycle is a continuous improvement cycle that can be implemented at any level, and it's commonly used at the school level to support continuous improvement efforts. The PDSA cycle can be developed to include time bound action steps that team members complete as they work towards achieving goals.
PDSA is particularly useful in site-based management for a number of reasons. It's an intuitive cycle that individual teachers can easily see the value of. It's just as relevant in teachers individual classrooms as it is in the school-wide initiative implementation. It provides a predictable and reliable cycle of planning, action, reflection, and revision that guides the overall progression towards goals.
PDSA is also helpful in preventing potential issues in site-based management. For example, some teams may be tempted to skip the reflection step in the action planning process, because, unfortunately, that reflection can sometimes be seen as extraneous or unnecessary. But the PDSA cycle emphasizes the importance of that reflection and makes it an integral part of the continuous improvement cycle.
Let's consider a few specific examples of where the PDSA cycle might be implemented. A team working to align curriculum to the common core state standards might find the PDSA cycle helpful in guiding the alignment process. Without the PDSA cycle in place, the team might fail to clearly outline their action steps and instead just jump into trying to complete their alignment.
Another example of the PDSA cycle in action might be a PLC working towards increasing student achievement in alignment with state student achievement mandates. This PLC can use the PDSA cycle to make sure that they are not simply focusing on planning and implementing strategies, but that they are also taking the time to study the resulting data in order to make good decisions about how to proceed. We can clearly see how the PDSA cycle can support site-based management and potentially avoid serious problems.
Finally, let's review the RACI protocol for assigning roles and responsibilities. The RACI protocol allows a team to identify which members are going to be responsible for each phase of a site-based initiative or other project. The roles that are assigned correspond to the four letters of the RACI acronym.
A team member assigned to the responsible role for a task or action step is, ultimately, responsible for actually carrying out that task. The accountable team member is the one who is personally held accountable for completion of the action. A consulted team member is considered an expert, or relevant party to the topic or action, and should be consulted before carrying out the step. And an informed team member should be informed upon completion of the task.
The facilitator of a site-based management team may find the RACI protocol especially valuable because of its utility in clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of all of the team members in each action plan. RACI is a useful tool employed often in the business world, and it's becoming more widely used in educational environments as well. Insight based management, the roles in the RACI protocol help each team member understand their responsibilities in every element of the action plan. This can avoid potential problems, like everyone assuming that someone else is going to take care of a task, or team members not being aware of who should be informed about the group's progress in the action plan.
You might see the RACI protocol implemented among administrative teams as they work to carry out the vision and mission of the district, or by a child study team as they determine who will carry out the many responsibilities that come along with the unique purpose and work of their team. A PLC might find the RACI acronym useful as they create an action plan aligned with a newly written SMART goal.
Now that we've reviewed SMART goals, the PDSA cycle, and the RACI protocol as useful tools that can support your project management and your implementation of site-based management initiatives, here's a great chance for you to stop and reflect. Have you experienced any of these tools in use in your school or your district? Which of these three tools do you think would be especially helpful in your site-based team?
To dive a little deeper and learn how to apply this information, be sure to check out the additional resources section associated with this video. This is where you'll find links targeted toward helping you discover more ways to apply this course material. Thanks for joining me today. Have a great.
(00:00 - 00:10) Introduction
(00:11 - 01:46) SMART Goals
(01:47 - 04:05) PDSA Cycle
(04:06 - 06:06) RACI Protocol
(06:07 - 06:50) Stop and Reflect
Creating Collaborative Action Teams: Working Together for Student Success
This guidebook includes resources and suggestions for establishing, running, and supporting collaborative teams.
http://www.sedl.org/pubs/fam18/Guide.pdf
Strategies for Creating Effective School Leadership Teams
This useful guidance document from the Vermont Department of Education offers best practices for establishing school leadership teams for the purpose of continuous improvement.
https://education.wm.edu/centers/ttac/documents/packets/strategiesforCreatingEffectiveSchoolLeadershipTeams.pdf