Services

OE partners with the institution, schools and units to design and deliver services that advance their goals and achieve desired outcomes. Recognizing the diverse needs of OE partners across Grounds, services and approaches are customized for each engagement.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

Strategic and Operational Planning

Scan the internal and external conditions
Engage stakeholders in the development and implementation
Create actionable plans to achieve and sustain success
Design an assessment plan to measure progress against goals
Revisit and refresh planning as necessary

Process Improvement

Analyze existing processes and steps or develop new processes
Engage stakeholders and functional owners in the design
Develop and implement streamlined, effective processes
Improve quality and user experience of end-to-end process
Measure and continuously improve for successful outcomes

Organizational Effectiveness

Refine organizational purpose and priorities and align resources
Clarify roles and responsibilities and build cohesion
Assess and enhance climate and culture
Develop shared expectations for specific, concrete ways of working
Establish feedback and accountability systems and processes

Project & Change Management

Develop and monitor project workplan, schedules, risk assessments, and performance metrics
Develop and deliver sponsor, communication, training and communication plans
Achieve goals, meet project success criteria, and deliver on time
Prepare and support individuals, teams, and organizations navigate change

OE EXPERTISE

The OE team employs a variety of innovation, organizational change, and improvement methods and tools to deliver these core services. For example, they have expertise in:

design thinking • leading complex collaborations • facilitation •
survey design • benchmarking • performance metrics •
data analytics • administrative unit reviews • innovation campaigns •
qualitative and quantitative research designs

By leveraging a broad set of methods and tools and consulting with you throughout the design, delivery and follow-up, the approach is tailored for your needs.

Contact Us

Email us or call 434.924-1344 to discuss your request or contact any OE team member.
To learn about recent engagements, visit Initiatives.

Testimonials

“The retreat was the precursor to our five-year strategic plan. OE was instrumental in facilitating that process in ways we would not have achieved alone.”
– Dr. Phil Bourne, Founding Dean, School of Data Science

“The series resulted in a sense of community among department chairs. With OE’s assistance, we ran a series of lively structured discussions about how to lead a department that ranged from thinking about strategic planning to trying to figure how to pare down.”
– Dr. Laura Galloway, Associate Dean for the Sciences and Research and Professor, College of Arts & Sciences

“I appreciate how the design thinking methods guide us in developing our new student support process. As a new academic unit, it’s been wonderful to have OE support. The team left these sessions with energy to move forward and get to work.”
– Dr. Dahlia Hylton, Associate Dean of Student Affairs, School of Data Science

The afternoon session went very well—very tight, productive, and inclusive…….It is a joy working with you and we are very fortunate to have your expertise in navigating crucial conversations.
– John Unsworth, Dean of Libraries and University Librarian

“Amazing all around. From planning to execution to followup. I can’t recommend them
highly enough.”

“Without exception, you take a professional and innovative approach to solving university-level problems. Thank you for keeping an eye on the big picture!”

“Having OE come in, organize, be objective and manage the sessions meant that everyone could fully participate”

“Guidance and support during a period of significant organizational change and complexity.”

“OE brings a willingness to have tough conversations, challenge the status quo, and co-create a bold vision of the future.”

“Highly collaborative partner, bringing suggestions to the execution strategy that added value to the outcomes.”