The Northwood Scorecard System

This week’s message deals with a topic that may be more information than most of us really need but is intended to convey the importance of data-gathering and its uses across our campuses as we strive to be One Northwood.  Data enables solid decision-making and a focus on continuous improvement. One of our recent breakthrough improvements is the development and use of a Scorecard System. The Scorecard System is a real-time program fed by real data that displays charts, graphs and more with a few clicks of the mouse. The Scorecard is a tool that provides visual statistics showing how Northwood is doing on many different measures university-wide – it provides a pulse check of sorts for us. Relevant and usable data will allow us to keep the spirit of AQIP and our AQIP System Portfolio prominent for us all.

Where applicable and appropriate, the Scorecard System provides trend and comparative data which are combined and then separated; tools for showing accepted variances as well as target performance; and definitions for all measures system-wide. Examples of data sets range from enrollments to retention rates; from workplace injuries to IT work order processing; from service excellence issues to athletic issues; from financial health analyses to progress on our emerging strategies.

The Scorecard System was designed and built internally by our own Northwood staff. The team studied various examples of scorecards and also investigated off-the-shelf packages. The team asked hundreds of questions of faculty and staff system-wide; and in the end they agreed their team – collaboratively – could build a better system than what was commercially available. We concur. A sincere thanks to Tina Brisbois, Theresa Dennings, Jacob Sinacola, and Kelly Sinacola! Thank you for a job well-done!

Make no mistake about it, Northwood has data – a lot of data. The information available allows us to break down information to a micro level which helps us assess all facets of our work. Not only do we intend to analyze the data, our challenge is to value what we measure and measure what we value – organizationally, by operating unit, and cross departmentally. For example, our department chairs and academic deans use varying data sets to address the learning environment. Our admissions personnel utilize data to drive recruiting. Other departments including the deans of students, grounds, IT, and HR, all have data available in some way, shape, or form to help them make better informed decisions.

Charles G. Koch’s Science of Success, as referred to in last week’s message, fully reinforces the use of data. Data allow us to have a continual means of evaluating internal strengths creating continuous value for future, current and past Northwood students as well as other stakeholders. Koch stated, “The long-term success of a business is determined by how much it is contributing to improving people’s lives.” Collection, analysis, and use of data will allow us to improve our total learning environment.

Of course, the tool is only as good as the resulting use. So, yes, we must practice what we preach! The Officer Team uses the Scorecard System at our meetings. Utilizing a smaller set of dashboard measures, the Officers will share Scorecard measures with the Board of Trustees. Officers are also beginning to use the Scorecard System within their units and teams. Over time, you will be linked to the System Scorecard via meetings and/or reports.

But of course, with the baseball season right around the corner, let us not forget about New York Yankee great Yogi Berra’s “Yogisms.” We know data will sometimes point us in varying directions and Yogi encourages, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” We are creating our road together and continuing on an amazingly interesting journey. The Northwood Scorecard System is one more tool allowing us to better choose which “fork” to take as we approach it.

Have a wonderful weekend!  For our faculty who are between terms, enjoy your break!
Keith

Keith A. Pretty, J.D.
President and CEO
Northwood University
4000 Whiting Drive
Midland, MI 48640
989.837.4203 (phone)
989.832.9590 (fax)