Self Assessment -An Award Simulation
ApproachPaul Evans: Director of Business Excellence
Liverpool John Moores University
EFQM Education Community of Practice
23rd February 2006
University of Macedonia
Personal Background 20 years in industry with EFQM
Founder MemberWorked with EFQM since 1996
Benchmarking GroupSenior Assessor for EEAMember, Awards & Recognition
Working GroupMember 2005 FC/Model Review Group
Some Facts about LJMU25,000 students2,500 staffAnnual Revenue Budget €170mSeveral Areas of International
Research Excellence10 spin-out companies p.a.Owners of the world’s largest
Robotic Astronomical Telescope
Excellence Model & LJMU EFQM Members since 1997Formally adopted Excellence Model
in October 2002 Diagnostic Self-Assessment in
February 2003 (All 32 Criterion Parts)‘Diagonal Slice’ Team Approach
Why Award Simulation ? 2 years of action following first
assessment Senior Group Fully Involved Too Close to the Action..lost objectivity Award Application Process…restores
objectivity Opportunity for External Input More Mature in Excellence Terms
Award Simulation ProcessAssessment Framework Selected (e.g.
EEA, BQF, Excellence North West)
Application DraftedApplication Agreed InternallyAssessment Team Selected (internal
assessors/externally led)
Application Submitted
Award Simulation ProcessApplication Assessed by TeamTeam Consensus Meeting (1.5 Days)Team Site Visit Planning (0.5 Days)Site Visit (2 Days)Team Final Consensus & Scoring (1
Day)Feedback Report produced
Award Simulation Advantages Drafting Application is a reflective process Increased objectivity; separates
assessment from development work Structured approach; formal and
disciplined Professional Assessors; independent
feedback & scoring Rehearsal for the ‘Real Thing’
Recommendations for OthersUse a sub-set of the senior team to
draft application Use a mix of internal & external
assessors (knowledge combined with objectivity)
Don’t brief interviewees & focus groups
Remember it’s about exposing issues – not hiding them
Outcomes for LJMU in 20056 main themes (all recognised & now
being addressed)Score more than doubled since last
self-assessmentLikely to be at ‘finalist’ standard
within 2 yearsRenewed impetus & confidence