This article was written in response to the editor's invitation to provide an alternative perspective to Zarestky and Cole's article in this same issue. While appreciating the perspective provided, I question the assumption that SOAR (strengths, opportunities, aspirations, results) as an approach to strategic planning will strengthen organization…

Addresses questions related to team building: Are teams appropriate for the situation? What kind of team is most relevant? What practical steps will develop and sustain effective teamwork? Looks at needs of four kinds of teams ranging from informal to formal, temporary to permanent: project, work, alliance, and network. (SK)

In this article, the author offers his critique on Holburn and Cea's notion on "excessive positivism" that person-centered planners are overconcerned with scientific verification and logical proof. The author believes that Holburn and Cea's notion blurs the important messages they have for person-centered planners by leading toward a debate about…

Surveys the current status of outdoor training for management development in Britain, including types and quality of providers and courses and advice for organizations interested in offering such training to their employees. (SK)

Argues that staff development should be integrated with organizational development in order to effect lasting change. Feels that staff development programs that focus only on ability as a determinant of performance, that target only the individual, and that ignore the internal climate and external environment of the institution cannot succeed.…

To assure accountability to educational policy developed by elected and appointed leaders, agencies and organizations must adopt high quality evaluation designs tailored to meet three basic tenets: (1) different processes for policy formation and demonstration of accountability; (2) clear accountability expectations built into policies; (3)…

If museums and libraries are to compete for both public and private funds in an accountability-driven environment, they must develop evaluation practices that provide the most compelling picture of the impact of their services. The two essays in this document present clear arguments for the adoption of a specific approach to evaluation known as…

Two organization development consultants describe and evaluate the two basic consulting methods, the process-consultation model and the doctor-patient model, and provide "readiness" criteria checklists for both the client and patient models. They state that each consulting approach has its place, depending on situational factors. (MF)

Discusses six major errors in management development programs. These failures include (1) not tying development programs to strategic considerations, (2) not properly qualifying participants, (3) not using proper training methods, (4) not differentiating group and individual development, (5) not providing posttraining support, and (6) not…

Examines organizational patterns for administering community services at community colleges. Identifies conditions which contribute to successful organizational patterns. Suggests features of organizational development which may be helpful in analyzing community services administration and in dealing with emerging community services functions in…

Provides discussions of the effectiveness of the North Central Association's accreditation process by representatives of accredited institutions. Includes 16 narratives related to the candidacy and self-study processes and such benefits of the accreditation process as a better-informed campus community, a clarified mission, and the rectification…

Examines organizational patterns for administering community services at community colleges. Identifies conditions contributing to successful organizational patterns. Suggests features of organizational development which may be helpful in analyzing community services administration and in dealing with emerging community services functions in the…

Total quality management (TQM) is based on the fundamental philosophy that it is always more effective to do something right the first time than it is to correct deficiencies. It seeks to improve quality and increase customer satisfaction by restructuring traditional management and organizational practices. Common characteristics of TQM include…

This document contains the viewpoints of five providers of education and training of adults at British institutions on the subject of which indicators should be used to measure the quality of performance. According to the representative of the Unit for the Development of Adult Continuing Education (Powell), measures applied to adult education have…

Out of concern for declining participation in its local alumni clubs, Dartmouth College (New Hampshire) surveyed 10,400 alumni nationally, 800 club officers, and alumni officers of 10 other colleges and universities. Resulting profiles of recent and older graduates revealed substantial population changes, suggesting the need for adaptation of…