RAA Retreat Revelations
by Cecilia Pittman

Research Accounting and Analysis (Grant and Contract Accounting and Management Accounting and Analysis) held a dashboard retreat in June that was filled with positive energy and excitement. The overall objective of the retreat was to bring the entire staff together to analyze the dashboard measures and identify the areas that RAA would focus their efforts over the coming months.

This goal was achieved in an open environment of presentations, ice breakers and the four quadrant exercise (an activity that focuses on process prioritization). In her opening, Sue Camber set the stage by explaining why this is such an exciting time to be in research. She cited examples such as, increase in grant volumes and the newly approved staff additions in RAA. The ice breaker, led by Kate Riley, was effective in bringing together people from different offices and sections to get to know one another better. “Leadership for Change”, the next presentation, given by Ruth Johnston, addressed a variety of models for change, how to navigate through change, and what to expect during change.

Kate transitioned us into the afternoon agenda by presenting Dashboard 101. This prepared us for the specific presentations of the individual dashboard measures given by the RAA process experts. This information was vital to the quadrant exercise. Divided into groups of eight, we used the individual process measure handouts to score the measures. Then the scores were categorized and placed in the proper quadrant. Specifically, this targeted the processes for improvement initiatives.

Finally, the information from the exercise was tallied. These results clearly demonstrated the group consensus for those processes in most need of improvement. The top three measures identified as needing immediate attention were billings, potential liability from DHHS award discrepancies, and faculty effort certification. The following initial steps have been taken to address these issues: an invoicing process walk through was done and the results are being analyzed, the DHHS measure is being reviewed and some data mining will follow, and finally a project team has formed to assess the viability of revising or replacing the FEC system.

There was a lot of enthusiasm generated from this retreat that carried over once we all returned to our desks. One of the facilitators wrote, “I am happy to have been a part of this retreat. I agree there was a lot of positive energy…” Additionally, one participant wrote in an email (and many echoed the same sentiment), “…The retreat was great. I found it very informative. I enjoyed myself and feel re-energized. Thank you everyone for all your effort. The retreat was a triumph.”