“Making It Happen” Terms of Reference

“Making It Happen”Terms of Reference

Placer County Office of Education

Auburn, CAMarch 30, 2012

Michelle A. Duda, Barbara Sims,

Dean L. Fixsen, Karen A. Blase,

Leah Bartley, Allison J. Metz,

Sandra F. Naoom, Melissa K. Van Dyke Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute

University of North Carolina

Copyright © Dean L. Fixsen and Karen A. Blase, 2008

Making “IT” Happen Activity

Developing your Implementation Team’s “Terms of Reference”


Setting the Stage for Multi-Level Group Work

Establishing Terms of Reference (ToR) Terms of Reference (ToR) are detailed in a

written document Outlining the purpose of the project or group, How it will be structured and implemented. It is like an internal Memorandum of

Understanding (MOU)

Helps you clarify communication, mandates, and core features and functions of the group


Terms of Reference

ToR is quite frequently used in business and planning endeavors

Creating a detailed ToR is a critical part of any project

The ToR is an important Plan step in a PDSA Cycle for Group Work

DoPlan

Study

Act


Benefits

ToR can facilitate work because: It establishes common ground and a common

understanding of why a group has been formed and what is expected.

It is a proactive way to ensure that there is agreement about important dimensions of the project.

It clarifies both the role of the team and may also clarify individual roles on the team

Increases comfort and legitimacy of “all voices” on the team

Such agreement, in the absence of work or issues, helps the group talk more openly about diverse opinions and reach consensus.


ToR for Agreement Creation: Common Values

Details “values and ways of work” that the group will abide by/use/review throughout the project

An opportunity – in the absence of the actual work to: Surface Challenges Get confusion on the table and move to

clarity Reduce the likelihood of ‘distractions’

during the work of the group


Key ToR Components Vision for the Work Together Scope and Objectives Expected Outcomes and Deliverables Boundaries (what it is and is not, when are we done) and

Limitations Authority, Accountability and Reporting Requirements

Linking Communication Protocols for Alignment (with whom do we communicate, how, and how often and for what purpose)

Roles and Functions of individuals (who participates in what ways)

Leadership Term Membership Orientation for New Members

Resources available to the project Decision-making process Values and Ways of Work Implementation Plans


Use It or Lose It (Do)

If the document is actively used and referenced throughout the life of the project it can: Help maintain focus by:

Using the ToR so that the project or group remains on track or on “mission”

Serving as an aid to troubleshooting to maintain focus (e.g. “are we still aligned on values and way of work?”, “do we have the authority, people, resources we need right now?”)

Serve as a ‘prompt’ before a meeting, a discussion, or a decision.

DoPlan

Study

Act


Use It or Lose It (Do)

If the document is actively used and referenced throughout the life of the project it can: Help refocus when group dynamics are bumpy

(e.g. “I wonder if we should revisit our agreed upon way of work, we said…..but now I am hearing…, So have we changed our way of work or scope of work or have we strayed from our roles/responsibilities, values?”).

Support “getting on the balcony” with respect to group process, dynamics, and agreement creation – “let’s think about our end goals”

DoPlan

Study

Act


Revisit, Reflect, Revise

Nothing is carved in stone Revisit and Reflect (Study)

In the absence of actual issues - Get on the BalconyIdentify emerging challenges The very “work of the group” may call for a change in the

ToR

Opportunity to be sure all are heard

Revise (Act)Change any elements to improve group functioning or the success of the overall project

Go again (PDSA)

Do

Plan

Study

Act

Documents

“Making It Happen” Terms of Reference