Developing an Assessment Plan

Using the Assessment Map for the POs as guides, each program should develop a Multi-year Assessment Plan.
Here are some guidelines on how to develop a multi-year assessment plan:

  • Limit the number of POs to 5-7.
  • Determine a realistic assessment plan cycle, i.e. how long (e.g. 7 years) your unit can complete meaningful assessment of all POs.
  • Create a multi-year assessment plan that assesses an appropriate number of POs a year. It is more important to conduct high quality assessment of a small number of POs (e.g. 1-2) per year than assessing all POs at once in a superficial manner.
  • Make sure the assessment plan is developed and carried out by the entire unit; this should not be the responsibility of one or few individuals.
    Use multiple methods and data sources to collect evidence of performance.
  • Use multiple methods and data sources to collect evidence of performance.
  • Think about how the data can be used to inform practice change; focus on evidence that can be acted upon.
  • Make sure the assessment plan is manageable and sustainable over time.
  • Allow flexibility in the assessment plan to “carry over” POs from one year to the next, particularly if the assessment findings are unsatisfactory and improvement actions are implemented.


Example Multi-year Assessment Plan for 2012-2019:

PO Number and
Abbreviation		 Direct Assessment Indirect Assessment Timeline Status
PO-01: Assessment System 1) Advise tool choices
2) Acquire online tool
3) Facilitate initial setup of tool		   Year 1
(AY 2012-2013)		 Assessment completed;
PO1 met successfully
PO-02: Classroom Technology Resources 1) Technology installation
2) Installation documentation		 Conduct faculty survey Year 2
(AY 2013-2014)  		 Planned
PO-03: IT Staff Development Provide professional development opportunities Conduct annual climate survey Year 3
(AY 2014-2015)		 Assessment completed; PO-02 not met, and “carried over” to Year 4 (AY 2015-16)
PO-04: Campus-wide Network Coverage Implement WiFi and network expansion plan Conduct annual survey of campus community Year 4 (AY 2015-2016) Planned