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T.I. Meyer TRIUMF 15 Apr 2009. Being on the Receiving End. HUGE Appreciation. Visit and review by the InterActions Peer Review Committee (IAPR) was a tremendous gift to TRIUMF THANK YOU to InterAction Collaboration, the IAPR, and especially Elizabeth Clements. What we did (1).
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T.I. Meyer TRIUMF 15 Apr 2009 Being on the Receiving End
HUGE Appreciation Visit and review by the InterActions Peer Review Committee (IAPR) was a tremendous gift to TRIUMF THANK YOU to InterAction Collaboration, the IAPR, and especially Elizabeth Clements
What we did (1) Contextualized the review for laboratory Termed it a “Director’s Review” in keeping with other internat’l peer review activities being conducted by Director Drafted Letter of Request & Terms of Reference with EC & Director Prepared written background materials Primary capture was annual report that laid out activities of 2008 and described intentions for 209 Put examples and associated materials on IAPR internal website
What we did (2) Made travel & catering arrangements IAPR travelers were very patient & very gracious guests! These were the two primary expenses: travel plus two dinners Prepared agenda, designated speakers Identified a number of background topics that needed to be addressed Impressed upon my team the benevolent nature of the review and how it would serve our long-term objectives Critical to get their buy-in & support for the process Rehearsed all talks as a team at least once
What it was like (1) Calibre and attention of the visiting committee “knocked the socks off” TRIUMF staff 2 intense days that were fun, provocative, and challenging: good attitude and willingness to grow REQUIRED Closeout review was less well attended than hoped Didn’t do good job of advertising/inviting There was a real moment when IAPR “got” TRIUMF
What it was like (2) Dinner with committee twice (smaller group, then full team) was key Time “alone” with the committee was also critical Allowed me to clear up misunderstandings AND expose my weaknesses AND speak candidly about the laboratory culture Having Canadian media on the committee gave it some real teeth And reduced chances for “cultural” confusion In terms of culture shock, biggest challenge was probably communicating budget & resource info Accounting systems, salaries Grey zone of communications vs GR vs education vs outreach vs … Lehman style format was BRILLIANT Really hit home and minimized defensiveness
What happened afterward (1) Senior Management who attended sessions, even the data-gathering ones, were energized and impressed Sat down with Director the Morning After and drafted 10-point response plan Specific nature of the IAPR advice allowed making specific plans General message of “define your focus” didn’t take root w/Director, but no matter – that’s my job New level of intentionality, focus, and enthusiasm in my team Implementing the advice has been slower than hoped but knowing that we “know what to do” has made all the difference Sense that even though we lack specific performance metrics, we have been evaluated and given solid guidance
Next time More time for digestion & discussion Better crafted packages of examples Host could facilitate IAPR access to “clients” Although Calamai on committee was good proxy The agenda delayed some key topics that could’ve come earlier
Questions going forward Thoughts & comments? How to put capstone on pilot run? Written report for pilot run (precedent?) Showcasing the success (Director to send cover letter to peers with copy of the report)? Will there be a next time? Should there be a next time? Who next?