Step 3 - Consider the foundations

There is little point carrying out an evaluation of a badly designed, under resourced, programme that has little profile amongst researchers or colleagues across an institution. Before evaluating anything be sure it is built upon strong foundations. The Rugby Team Impact Framework (see Figure A1 p17, Foundation level 0) suggests looking to optimise all factors that contribute to the success of researcher development activity. The following factors are suggested for consideration:

Structures:

• training and development (T& D) reporting structures
• T & D organisational structure (e.g. faculty training, central services, graduate schools)

Systems:

• quality assurance system (internal/external monitoring)
• T & D policy
• institutional Code of Practice for research degrees
• recording system for training and development activity
• communications - between faculties and central service provider
• communications with researchers.

Facilities:

• training rooms
• study space
• meeting space
• equipment
• technology.

Stakeholder engagement:

• stakeholder needs
• feedback from participants and their line managers/superivsors
• programme improvements in response to feedback.

Staffing and skills:

• personal and professional development of staff, e.g. training/teaching qualifications such as HEA, CIPD, SEDA, etc.

Research-based practice:

• training and development practice informed by research and evaluation
• contribution to the evidence base.

External profile and awareness of provision:

• conference attendance/presentations
• sector group membership
• articles/publications
• promotion in university literature.

Internal profile and awareness of provision include:

• induction programmes staff/students
• training booklet
• website
• staff awareness.

Programme content includes:

• workshop programmes by central services/faculties - co-ordinated, appropriate, interdisciplinary
• non-workshop training and development opportunities - events, PDP, e-learning
• baseline assessment of participants, e.g. needs analysis.