Georgia Tech Staff to Participate in Comprehensive Administrative Review

Posted December 6, 2017

As recently announced by Chancellor Steve Wrigley, all colleges and universities in the University System of Georgia (USG), as well as the system office, will be participating in a Comprehensive Administrative Review (CAR). Beginning Dec. 11, Georgia Tech will begin implementing the CAR among its staff.

“The CAR process provides an opportunity for employees to provide input on how we can improve administrative processes to enhance our ability to deliver on our teaching, research and service mission,” said President G.P. “Bud” Peterson.

When this systemwide initiative was announced last spring, Chancellor Wrigley stated that the project would be focused on creating efficiencies, streamlining processes, and finding ways to more effectively utilize USG resources. The USG is working with Huron Consulting to perform this review. 

Administrative functions across the USG have been identified, and staff within each function will be selected to participate in a series of reviews as detailed below. Because the CAR initiative will focus only on nonteaching activities and roles, faculty will generally not be involved in the process.

Opportunity Identification Survey

Starting next week, an Opportunity Identification Survey will be conducted with supervisors, managers, and select groups — approximately 1,100 individuals. The goal of the Opportunity Identification Survey is to collect information on functions and processes that work well and those that present an opportunity for improved administrative effectiveness, efficiency, and best practices.

The Opportunity Identification Survey is voluntary and should take 15 minutes to complete.

An email will be sent on Dec. 11 to those who have been selected to participate in the survey. The survey is open from Dec. 11 to 20.

Focus Groups and Interviews

In support of the Opportunity Identification Survey, Huron Consulting will conduct on-site focus groups and interviews beginning Jan. 8, 2018.

Activity Assessment

In mid-January, approximately 3,600 staff employees at Tech will be asked to participate in the Activity Assessment to better understand how resources are allocated to perform the various administrative functions.

Those selected to participate should expect to receive an email on Jan. 16, 2018, with more details related to the assessment. The assessment is open from Jan. 16 to 30.

Participation in the assessment is mandatory for the selected individuals and should take, on average, 30 minutes to complete. In addition, supervisors and managers will be asked to review and validate the assessment submissions between Feb. 5 and Feb. 13, 2018.

Next Steps

Huron Consulting will prepare a draft report containing key findings and recommendations to deliver to Georgia Tech’s leadership, as well as the USG, in Spring 2018. A final report will be generated once all 28 institutions have completed this process in 2019.

Visit the USG Comprehensive Administrative Review website for more information on the systemwide project. Questions about Georgia Tech’s participation in this process may be forwarded to askcar@gatech.edu.