The CONSULTING Process

INDEX:

• An OUTLINE of the Process for Developing a New or Refining an Existing Mentor Program
  • This program development process is the same as found elsewhere on this web site.
  • Adaptations of it to facilitate work with a consultant are available in the two Planners which follow.
• A Planner for People Working WITH a Consultant to Develop or Refine a Program
• A Program Development & Refinement Planner for Consultants to Use

An OUTLINE of the Consulting Process for Developing a New or Refining an Existing Mentor Program

By Barry Sweeny, 2002

Note - Greater details & resources about many of these steps are provided as links in both the planners which are accessible above.

CATEGORY	PLANNING PROCESS STEPS
Getting Started	1. Create a program planning group (PPG) Identify needed institutional & constituency partners Identify, contact & recruit representatives Research, evaluate, select & employ a mentoring expert for consulting.
	2. Discuss and define desired results, and write program purpose statement
	3. Define/select the conceptual framework underlying participant development & improvement of results
	4. Define links among this program and other existing improvement initiatives and goals
Research	5. Search for program & participant best practices linked to desired results in the relevant literature Collect articles and research reports Read articles and write summaries of content
	6. Presentation to PPG of the best practices linked to desired results
Needs	7. Assessment of local needs Educator needs Organizational needs (retention, improved performance, etc.) Accountability needs & issues
	8. Assess what each participant group already knows and can do related to expectations, role & tasks, once those are defined. in step 12.
Program Goals & Strategy	9. Review information & select appropriate strategies Discuss research information & data Reach conclusions about which needs to address Reach conclusions about program strategies & participant practices that address selected needs
Time Line	10. Set measurable long-term program goals and objectives for each of the first three years
	11. Discuss & set a program implementation time line
Roles & Tasks	12. Define participant expectations, roles, and tasks Protégés Mentors Managers & Supervisors as various levels
Incentives	13. Discuss and define necessary participant incentives & recognition
Program Evaluation Plan	14. Plan the program evaluation Develop parameters & standards for program evaluation Define evaluation questions to be answered Define audiences for evaluation data, conclusions & recommendations Discuss & select measurable indicators to evaluate that link to program goals Completion of planned program activities & extent of program implementation Completion of planned participant activities Attainment of program goals and objectives Professional growth of participants & leaders (eg. changes on conceptual framework) Extent to which identified needs are met Extent of change in professional practices by participants and leaders Changes in protégé learning, performance & productivity Check alignment of evaluation indicators to program goals & objectives Define data collection process Identify target audiences from which to collect data Identify tools needed to collect data and need to validate tools Define data collection, analysis, and reporting time line Select person(s) responsible for implementation of plan Develop targets for improvement for each indicator
Selection & Matching	15. Discuss, define & plan participant selection (& matching?) processes & criteria
Training	16. Discuss, define program leadership needs & plan program leadership training & support needed
	17. Discuss, define & plan participant training & support needed
	18. Discuss, define & plan other needed program activities & their coordination
Budget Planning	19. Define resources and budget needed to support the program
Program Proposal	20. Prepare a program proposal providing: participant & organizational needs research on other's mentoring programs and their effects, best practices, lessons learned, etc. program goals & description program implementation plans program evaluation plans needs for resources & budget to support the program and attain desired results
Seeking Support	21. Communicate with and seek program support from key decision makers
	22. Use your program proposal to seek grant funding for initial implementation
Implementation	23. Implement plans according to the implementation time line and available budget
Data Analysis	24. Collect & analyze program evaluation & needed participant data
	25. Reach conclusions about progress toward goals & other program indicators
	26. Reach conclusions about needed program revisions
Refinements	27. Implement needed program revisions
Report to Decision Makers	28. Report to decision makers & participants on program changes and participant progress

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