RQT Roundup

by Zach Luther

QSTEP

John Cady (GCA) was awarded a QSTEP for the collaborative quality on January 30 th 2004. John's creative and proactive approach of looking at processes has improved the department's customer service. He's not afraid to ask questions or try new methods. He is knowledgeable, happy to share and happy to teach. One co-worker described having John available like having a "magic decoder ring" because, with John's help and knowledge, mysterious processes become clear.

TOPS

Greg Henderson (Financial Reporting) was recognized with a TOPS award on March 12 th 2004 for developing and implementing a new process for pulling information together for the annual Financial Statements. Before Greg's innovative process, information was compiled by combining data from FAS and dozens of special reports and folders. Arriving at correct balances required reconciling FAS to each of these and, since the information did not come from one place, it was difficult to know if the information was balanced and complete. Greg designed a "spectacularly different format.” Adjustments are all in one place and tracked in total making the whole process much more transparent and easier to follow. Unnecessary work has been eliminated and the year-end financial statement preparation was made clearer and easier.

Brian Baldwin (GCA) and Marisa Honig (GCA)received a TOPS award on March 25 th 2004 for developing and implementing the check database. Before the check database, incoming checks were manually processed at several stations: by the front desk, by verifying staff members, by the cash desk and by data entry in batching. As a result of the multiple entries, many errors occurred and reconciliations were a major chore. After establishment of the check database, checks were keyed only once by the first area, the front desk. Improvements resulting from the check database included easier reconciliations, elimination of rework, reduction in input errors, quicker entry of information, and more accessible data.

Endowment Reporting Team – Ann Sarna (Treasury), Lisa Edlin (Treasury), Ping Tan (Treasury) and Michael Fero (Treasury) were given a TOPS award on March 29 th 2004 for redesigning the University’s annual endowment reports. Ann's and Michael's creativity produced a more beautiful and useful glossy report than ever before. Lisa was invaluable as the team's editor and made sure everything is proofed over and over again. Not much gets by her and her suggestions were always right on target! And the newest team member, Ping, carefully produced a completely redesigned individual endowment report. With more and more endowment reports being produced each year, these improvements will continue to strengthen the link between endowment donors and the University.