GLOSSARY OF KEY
TERMS
Alignment
- refers to the degree of consistency in which plans, processes,
information, resource decisions, actions, results, analysis
and learning supports the overall goals and objectives of the
University. It requires a common understanding of purposes and
goals and use of complementary measures and information for
planning, tracking and analysis.
Analysis
- refers to assessments performed by the unit/department that
provides a basis for effective decisions and is based on the
understanding of the cause and effect relationship that comes
from the analysis of facts and data.
Charter
- is usually endorsed by the process owner/sponsor, the charter
officially sanctions the improvement effort by specifying the
process name, process owner, team leader, and team members.
The charter should also specifies the problem to be resolved,
scope, conditions, constraints, and success indicators of the
improvement effort.
Implementation
- refers to the application of improvement solutions to a process.
Innovation
- refers to significant change(s) of services/processes that
create new value for stakeholders. It involves the adoption
of an idea, process, technology or product that is considered
new or new in its application. The effectiveness of the innovation
is demonstrated by benchmark/comparative information and data.
Measures and
Indicators - Measures and indicators refer to numerical
information that quantifies input, output and performance dimensions
of processes that delivery services/products.
Performance
- refers to output results obtained from processes and services
that permit evaluation and comparison relative to goals, standards
and past results of similar processes.
Planning
- refers to critical components, objectives and goals that are
made specific so that a common understanding and effective implementation
are possible. Plans are established to accomplish objectives
in order to facilitate improvement.
Process
- refers to linked activities with the purpose of producing
a product/service for a customer within or outside of the unit,
department or organization.
Results
- refer to outcomes achieved by a unit/department engaged in
an improvement initiative. Results are evaluated on the basis
of current performance, performance relative to appropriate
comparison, rate, breath and importance of performance improvements
to process performance requirements.
Systematic
- refers to approaches that are repeatable and utilize data
and information so that improvement and learning are possible.
A systematic approach will yield maturity within a process as
it builds the opportunity for assessment and reflects cycles
of evaluation and learning.
Value
- refers to the degree of worth relative to cost and relative
to possible alternatives of a product, service, process, asset
or function. Frequently it requires balancing value for customers
and other stakeholder groups such as students, patients and
their families, staff and the community.
