Showcase 2007 :: Office of Quality Improvement

Highlights of Showcase 2004

Organizational Effectiveness: Improving Work, Learning, and Climate

April 5, 2004

"The Showcase highlights impressive examples of what we can learrn from each othe and challenges us to incorporate them in a meaningful way into how we operate our campus."

- Vice Chancellor Darrell Bazzell

Showcase Reflects on Progress and Accomplishments

April 5th marked the fifth anniversary of UW-Madison's annual improvement Showcase, a time set aside to reflect on and recognize the significant efforts by many people to improve work, learning, and climate on campus. Since its inception in 2000, the event has gained momentum to become a significant venue for problem-solving, furthering communication, and sharing tools and ideas for improvement.

Highlights from Showcase 2004 include:

  • 240 attendees
  • 36 poster exhibits, including:
    • 15 from academic departments
    • 21 from administrative offices
    • 16 featuring improved service and outreach
    • 5 examples of leadership development
    • 7 showing how strategy was implemented
    • 6 climate examples
    • 2 that foster cross-functional connections
    • 14 in which technology played a key role
  • 8 breakout sessions on topics such as organizational effectiveness, climate, allocating resources, cultural diversification, obtaining data to make decisions, measuring success, and integrating teaching and research.
  • Comments from some of the 146 evaluation responses:
    • "I truly enjoyed the event! I stole some excellent ideas and brought them back to the department."
    • "Excellent venue." "Very conducive to the different types of sessions."
    • "So many of the workshop topics were strong, I found myself forced to choose between two that I really wanted to attend."
    • "I ended up learning from posters and people that I might not otherwise have sought out."
    • "It was a nice opportunity to reconnect with old colleagues."
    • "I did some serious networking, and got a lot of ideas for future improvements."
    • "Love those poster exhibits and the one-on-one conversations."
    • "The keynote speaker was wonderfully informative, as well as entertaining."
    • "Thank you for bringing in staff (as concurrent session presenters) with real life experience to share with the rest of us."

Reflecting on what we've accomplished spurs us on to become even more effective. Chancellor Wiley's invitation to "steal ravenously" from the ideas shared at Showcase 2004 has already prompted improvement efforts that will be featured in the future. We encourage you to learn from and build upon the numerous improvements and to document the improvements you're making so that others can learn from your efforts.

Many thanks to all who attended Showcase 2004, and to all the presenters and supporters who made it possible!

Case Study Examples from Showcase 2004

Improving Service and Expanding Options for Students

Web Accessibility For All - Failure Is Not an Option
Using Assessment to Make Improvements in FIGs
The Delta Program in Research, Teaching, and Learning
OASIS Online Access to Student Information and Scheduling
PARTNERS for SUCCESS
CALS Scholarship Allocation and Distribution Process
Connecting for Academic Success
Supporting and Enhancing Student Academic Engagement
Transforming Graduate Admissions
ECE Graduate Admissions System

Reaching out to Stakeholders

Evaluating Library Services
Merging Media for Collaborative Learning & Educational Outreach
FP&M Web-based Service Delivery
Murder Mysteries & Fake News: Creative Technology Training
Business Services - Conversations with Customers
Resources Built From Focus Groups

Developing Leadership and Professional Skills

Conducting On-Line Professional Development for Post-secondary Special Needs Staff
Cultivating Leadership and Authentically Inclusive, Responsive Campus Environments
WISELI Leadership Workshops
On-Line Professional Development Models
My Professional Development

Implementing Strategy and Budget

Decision Making in Academic Departments: Can Data Help?
BRIDGE International Cultural Partnership Program
The Division of International Studies - Area and International Studies Innovation Fund Projects
Planning Today to Address Workforce Needs for the Future
Organize It!
The Advisory Council Role in Budgetary Decisions
Becoming Strategy Focused

Improving Climate and Workplace Interactions

Campus Climate "Days of Listening & Discovery"
Council for Non-Represented Classified Staff
New Employee Orientation
Establishing The Wisconsin Union as an Ideal Work Environment
Appreciative Performance Review
Understanding Workplace Violence

Fostering Cross-Functional Connections

Fostering Interdisciplinary, Interdepartmental, and Cross-College Connections
Web-based Grant Funding and Tracking

Using Technology to Improve Processes

Conducting On-Line Professional Development for Post-secondary Special Needs Staff
Decision Making in Academic Departments: Can Data Help?
FP&M Web-based Service Delivery
ECE Graduate Admissions System
Business Services - Conversations with Customers
Integrating Electronic Accessibility Into Your Everyday Work

Showcase 2004 Poster Exhibits

CALS Scholarship Allocation & Distribution
FIGS
Fluno Center for Executive Education
FP&M Web-Based Service Delivery
Madison Appreciative Inquiry Network
Merging Media for Collab. Learning & Edu. Outreach
My Professional Development
New Employee Orientation & News
Partners for Success
Quality of Library Services
School of Veterinary Medicine
WISELI