Brian and RESADMers--

My reporting structure is much more convoluted--I report to the provost,
who reports to the Chancellor, who reports to the President of the
University of Wisconsin System, who reports to the Board of Regents--but
we've wrestled with the same issue.  I used to set goals also, but now (at
the Provost's suggestion) my annual production-related goal is to at least
match the average number of grant proposals submitted and grant funds
awarded over the last three years, with at least a 50% success rate.

This goal acknowledges that most of my office's production is reactive but
also sets a mildly ambitious target.  I'm happy with it.  Partly, I
suppose, because we've met it each year since we instituted the new
goal.  But I also think it's a good way to measure success.

I always add a few, more specific goals as well, but this is the major one
we're measured by.

Regards, Bill

At 11:32 AM 08/27/2003 -0400, you wrote:
>I have been invited by our Board of Regents to propose a revised format for
>my regularly scheduled reports to the Board on grant/contract activity.  I
>have come up with a format that I feel comfortable with and that tells them
>what they really need to know. I'm ready to go with it.
>
>Previously, our report provided raw data for proposal numbers, and grant
>numbers & dollars year-to-date.  Comparisons were reported against the
>previous year and against an "annual plan" (which was developed within my
>office).  I have proposed to eliminate the "plan" and provide some detailed
>but MEANINGFUL comparative data against the two previous years, instead.  I
>do not feel that holding my office accountable to a plan makes much sense,
>since I have no managerial control over those who write proposals and
>because there is no way to get buy-in from those who do have managerial
>control.
>
>This recommendation will be a tough sell to the Board, because reported
>progress toward its achievement has always given them something to get
>excited about.
>
>My questions:  Of those of you who are required to provide progress
>reporting to your Board, what type of information do you report?  Do you
>report information on numerical goals and goal achievement?
>
>Thanks!
>
>
>------------------------
>Brian Anderson, Director
>Office of Research Development
>Eastern Michigan University
>Starkweather Hall, 2nd Floor
>Ypsilanti, MI  48197
>Office: (734) 487-3090
>Fax: (734) 481-0650
>Email: xxxxxx@emich.edu
>
>
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Bill Campbell
Director, Grants & Research
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
410 S. 3rd St.
River Falls, WI  54022
telephone 715/425-3195; FAX 715/425-3185
xxxxxx@uwrf.edu

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