Unit Self Assessments

Jack Whitehead

jrw5@att.net

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• Unit Self-Assessment is about understanding:– The Unit’s value proposition – what value does a

unit bring its members?

– The value of demographics

– The power of simplicity, buy-in, opportunity, and perspective

– The elements of planning

– The importance of performance metrics

Session Objectives Meeting the needs of Members through Self Assessments

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On the Leading Edge . . . .You Will Learn

• Your Unit’s “Fit” in ASME• Definitions for Perspective• The Planning Process• Case Review• Lessons Learned• Keys to Success• Summary

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ASME Vision: ASME will be the essential resource for mechanical engineers and other technical professionals throughout the world for solutions that benefit humankind

ASME Mission: To serve our diverse global communities by advancing, disseminating and applying engineering knowledge for improving the quality of life; and communicating the excitement of engineering

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Your Unit’s “Fit” in ASMEAn Important Part of ASME Strategic Priorities

– Energy: ASME will serve as an essential energy technology resource and leading advocate for balanced energy policies

– Global Impact: ASME will deliver locally relevant engineering resources to advance public safety and quality of life throughout the world

– Engineering Workforce Development: ASME will foster a broader, competent, vibrant and more diverse engineering workforce with improved retention in both the profession and ASME over all career stages

Your Unit’s “Fit” in ASME

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Accommodates many basic Units

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Your Unit’s “Fit” in ASMEBuilding Relationships for Now

• Knowing Your Unit – The Value (An Exercise)– What is the main strength of your unit?

– Are the needs of your members being met?

– Does you unit have a busy agenda? What has been accomplished?

– Do you recruit member volunteers? Are any volunteers recycled?

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Your Unit’s “Fit” in ASME Building Relationships for the Future

• Knowing Your Unit – The Value (An Exercise)– What has been the most significant activity of 2011-2012.

Why? Was it followed by a survey to rate value?

– Name a unit success. Identify a lesson. What action could help your unit be more successful?

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Your Unit’s “Fit” in ASME Building Relationships for Now and the Future

• Knowing Your Unit– Does your unit have a Vision? Mission?

• How does your unit’s vision align with that of ASME?

– Does your unit have a written Plan? With goals and actionable items? Timing?

• What drives it? How does it accommodate change?

• Is your unit viewed as a business?

• What are your unit’s products and services?

– What is important?• Needs? Goals? Core activities?

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Your Unit’s “Fit” in ASME Building Relationships for Now and the Future

• Knowing Your Unit– Environment – who do you serve?

• Members, companies, “pockets” of interest

– Who serves• Committees, Partners (i.e., other units, other Societies,

businesses, etc) . . . . Use of mentors, training? . . . .your members . . . .what are the roles?

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Your Unit’s “Fit” in ASMEKnowing Your Unit

• Unit Demographics (suggest 3 year profile)– Membership – interests, places of work, professional

activities, training needs

– Unit Activities – meetings and networking opportunities professional development, student support

– Custodial Account – revenue/expense

– Partners – Other ASME units, other Societies, businesses

– Communications – stakeholders; website, social network

– Administration – Operations Guide, By-Laws, honors

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Definitions for PerspectiveKnowing Your Unit

• Self-Assessment – Comprehensive review and evaluation of activities and relationships

• Programs, Products and Services – Value to members and potential for revenue generation

• Customers – Those whom you serve; stakeholders• Value-Added – Something perceived to provide a return for the

investment of time and/or monies• Champions – Volunteers willing and trained to provide activity

leadership• Interfaces (Partners) – Groups that provide links to information,

volunteer support or other resources• Load Leveling – Effective use of volunteer support in development and

implementation of programs, products and/or services• Delayering – A reduction in organization structure hierarchy to simplify

the management of tasks• Metrics – Data useful in measurement of performance

The Leading Edge . . .Creating a Plan

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• MEMBERS• NEEDS

• MEMBERS• NEEDS

• MISSION• VISION• RESOURCES• LEADERSHIP• COMMUNICATIO

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• MISSION• VISION• RESOURCES• LEADERSHIP• COMMUNICATIO

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PRODUCTS AND

SERVICES

PRODUCTS AND

SERVICES

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTSPERFORMANCE

MEASUREMENTS

CUSTOMER EMPOWER CHAMPIONSCOORDINATED DEVELOPMENT AWARENESS

• TRAINING• QUALITY

• TRAINING• QUALITY

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING COMMUNITY

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING COMMUNITY

LESSONS LEARNED

FLEXIBILITYGLOBAL

FEEDBACK

VALUE ADDED

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The Planning Process• Mission/Vision/Goals – Assess member/customer needs

– Alignment with ASME

– Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT)

– Plan with schedule (and commitment) . . . and the buy-in of stakeholders

• Define value-added activities – topics, audience, scope– Benefit/effort-risk; metrics

• Marketing analysis/strategy– “Packaging”

• Organization & Management– Load level – simplify, focus on few, teaming

– Empower champions – mentoring the “how to” tactics

• Finances and other resources (i.e., partners, staff)

• Performance evaluation – success, lessons learned

The Planning ProcessTechnical Communities Model – Continuous Improvement

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DRIVE

DR

IVE

Deve

lop

Analyze & Plan

Develop

Exec

ute

Measure

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Case Review• Materials and Structures Technical Group, 2001

– Divisions: Materials, NDE, PVP, OMAE– Activities

• Conferences: PVP (including NDE participation), OMAE, Materials/Applied Mechanics, NDE Topical

• Publications: Materials and PVP journals• Opportunities: Technical Chapters (PVP), Industry involvement

– Custodial Funds – Used for web, scholarships, student paper contest

– ASME Partners – Divisions, Codes, Education– Communications – Newsletters, Web, Brochures– Administration – By Laws, Honors

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Lessons Learned• Materials and Structures Technical Group, 2001

– Membership: Largest in S. Texas

– Partnerships: Adopt-A-Section – Conference Drivers; Other Organizations ASNT (NDE)

– Custodian Funds: Encourage fund investments + Design Group Award

– Opportunities: PVP Short Courses, Young Engineers/Students, Mentoring, Industry dialogue

– Administration: NDE Honors program, Initiated Group publications guidelines

Lessons Learned

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The Leading Edge . . . Building Relationships for Now and the Future

Keys to Success• Perform a realistic assessment of member

needs, metrics• Be proactive in response to change• Set few goals and do them well• Evaluate performance and provide

feedback to the process.• Determine from assessment what

resources are needed to improve performance; who will provide them?

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The Leading Edge . . . Building Relationships for Now and the Future

Summary• Know your unit• Use lessons to plan• Define value-added activities aligned with vision

and a set of metrics• Empower others to lead projects• Commit to reach goals that support the vision• Evaluate performance for continuous

improvement

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The Leading Edge . . . Building Relationships for Now and the Future

Summary• Test for Value Added

– What are 3 metrics most important to my unit?

– What is the most significant product, service or program provided by my unit?

– Name 3 key member demographics– How can my unit determine member needs?– How can I convince my unit to focus on a

simple agenda and recruit from within the ranks?

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The Leading Edge . . . Building Relationships for Now and the Future

Connected LTC Sessions• Serving at the Governance Level – ASME

Organization

• Mentoring Students and Early Career Engineers – People resources

• Introduction to Strategic Planning – The “Big Picture” view a unit’s direction

• Use of Best Practices – Addressing problems or creating opportunity

• Resource Management – Effective utilization of resources

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Unit Self-Assessment