News

To test out the tool, please visit www.pild.org. Enrolment key: pild

Diane Harris R.N. MSc CHRD, CPT
Alan Gillies MA PhD FBCS CITP FAHE
For more information on the tool, please email dharris@dianeharris.ca

Introduction to the CW PILD Online Performance Audit Tool
Community support agencies in the LHIN areas of Mississauga-Halton, Central West and Waterloo-Wellington regions formed the Performance Improvement through Learning and Development Committee (PILD) in 2006 with a specific goal to design a performance improvement framework with resources and tools to help transform organizations into learning organizations across these LHIN areas.
The group adapted a framework to enhance the capacity of agencies to analyze performance problems, to define gaps between desired and actual performance, to select and develop appropriate interventions to close the gaps, to manage implementation and organizational change processes, and to evaluate outcomes in terms of performance and organizational results (Chevalier, 2007; Hale, 2004; Stolovitch & Keeps, 2002, Rummler & Brache, 1997; www.ispi.org).
In 2008, the group invested in the development of an online audit tool for leaders doing the work of performance improvement (PI). The user-friendly tool:
1. Provides a method to open up dialogue regarding organizational PI capacity and organization progress with PI
2. Assesses individual PI learning needs
3. Provides a range of learning strategies to enhance PI competencies
Through the audit, the development needs of organizations and their leaders are determined using an approach developed and applied previously and described in extensive publications such as Gillies and Howard (2003). Based upon work by Benner (1984) and earlier by Dreyfus and Dreyfus (1979), competency levels are used to help an individual decide whether in each area of PI competency he or she feels like:
1. A novice. Need significant assistance in this area.
2. Proficient. Capable of working autonomously in this area
3. An expert. Capable of leading others in this area
The online audit tool provides a range of learning strategies designed specifically to respond to learning needs identified through the self-assessment; needs relate to four key roles for those doing the work of performance improvement: Analyst, Intervention Specialist, Change Manager, and Evaluator (Rothwell, 1999).
First steps in the tool’s development included the identification the required resources (e.g. previously developed basic introduction to P.I. for the CW PILD, basic evaluation tools, targeted coaching). These resources continue to evolve to respond to audit results (e.g. from face-toface sessions to e-learning or similar).
The tool was tested by 5 local pilot sites and also introduced to seniors leaders of the geriatric mental health outreach programs in Ontario and other health care organizations outside the CW PILD boundaries.
Although the CW PILD is no longer active, the online audit tool is being used in a wide variety of organization settings. A paper has recently been presented at the European Conference on Enterpreneurship and Innovation in Antwerp, Belgium.
To test out the tool, please visit www.pild.org. Enrolment key: pild
Diane Harris R.N. MSc CHRD, CPT
Alan Gillies MA PhD FBCS CITP FAHE
For more information on the tool, please email dharris@dianeharris.ca