Schools Profit from Systems Think and Process

Schools truly profit from a focus on systems' think and process.

Good systems save time and allow everyone to focus on efforts that matter in timely, effective ways.  Inefficient systems create work that is unnecessary which takes energy away from the important business of an organization.

Organizations can create a systems' template for most work, and then promote use of that template for initiatives and efforts.

Most good systems include the following process.

1. Lead Time and Analysis.  Where are we, where are we going, and what have we done? Problems are mostly looked at with plenty of lead time--lead time relative to the work you do, and the optimal lead time margins. 
2. Research, Goals, and Vision.  Who are we, what do we want to be, and how do we get there? Research continues throughout the process so the process is timely and reflects current knowledge. 
3. Plan, Strategy, and Effort: With the end goals and vision in mind, a plan is made, and a process and strategy is chosen. A timeline of events is created.
4. Communication, Review, and Revision: We want everyone to know what the plan is upfront and with lead time so we can gather important critique.  Then we'll make some revision and send it out for another review. Throughout the process the effort will be transparent, and there will be a website and other regular and easily accessible communication available for all interested parties. 
5. Initial Efforts: The project starts, input is welcome. Efforts are tweaked, and revisions are communicated. 
6. Assessment: Throughout the effort there is formative assessment: how are things going, what's working, what's not, and what revisions need to be made.
7. Completion, stopping points: At designated points the effort is reviewed, and next steps and/or a final analysis is completed. 
8. Reflection: Reflection occurs throughout the effort with the following questions: 

• Is the effort on target?
• Is the work worth it?
• Are we making gains?
• Can we profit from an outside perspective?
• What needs to happen?
• How can we be more effective?

I also believe that most good systems profit from transparency and inclusivity. While inviting all voices takes lots of time upfront; in the end, it saves time and promotes good work--work that is valued by all that are invested in the project, event, or goal.

As veteran teachers like me know, many systems of old in schools were not complete systems.  There were many reasons for that, but in today's world with the great tech we have, there are few reasons why organizations can't embrace complete, efficient, successful problem solving systems. Adopting systems think and process will free us up to serve children better as we'll be spending less time on paperwork and procedural forms, and doing the work and share that matters. 

What systems in your organization and work have been effective this year, and what systems are ready for an update?  Prompted from last night's #edchat question, I do think this is one area of school life that can be revised for greater effect.


Note: Many recent events prompted this post. One, in particular is the new MA Teacher Evaluation Process.  I do believe the process is founded on solid principals and worthy goals and vision, however I believe the process can be greatly streamlined for better effect.

Note 2: Mindshift continues to be one of the best educational blogs, and today's post creates a nice point of reflection with regard to the systems we promote and develop in schools for best effect.