External Review Tips

H&S Tips for a Successful External Review

Departments frequently find that planning for the external review is the most valuable part of the process. The External Program Review is an opportunity for faculty, staff, and students to participate in setting departmental goals and developing strategies to reach those goals. Participation by all members of a department, with time to reflect on discussions, is key.

Good planning practices:

• Encourage retreats and other in-depth discussions among all faculty about program direction, priorities, and needs.
• Encourage seminar-style discussions or department-led retreats to assist with planning. Faculty-led conversations around future opportunities and challenges in the discipline can help shape a shared vision. Departments may find it helpful to dedicate a series of internal meetings to explore key issues and ideas that will guide the department’s evolution.
• Allow all faculty to buy in and to take ownership of the department plan. Where the chair or a small group of faculty prepare materials on behalf of the department, it is too easy for some faculty to hold divergent views about department direction.
• Encourage transparency. Most departments delegate the writing of specific sections of the report to small groups of faculty and staff. Letting everyone see and comment on the report as it is assembled is important.
• Engage related departments within the University as part of the planning process.
• Involve students, post docs, and staff in the planning. The external review team visit should not be the only opportunity for students and staff to voice opinions about their department.