Laura A. Diggle

Introduction: In the spring of 2016, I was part of a performance evaluation for the Sutphen Corporation in Columbus, Ohio. The Sutphen Corporation has remained a family-owned business since its inception in 1890, and while this has enabled the company to maintain a family atmosphere as part of the corporate culture, the client stated that certain aspects of the family atmosphere, coupled with rapid growth have led to gaps in performance. For this reason, the performance analysis was requested by Shelby Sutphen, Executive Coordinator for Sutphen Corporation.

My Contributions: As we began work on the Sutphen performance evaluation, I was assigned four artifacts to complete and submit to the team. I determined the best way to illustrate how the performance gaps and their causes were linked as to complete a fishbone diagram.

My next task was to develop a logic chain which provided us with a methodical approach for describing the performance improvement effort from start to finish in a concrete, concise manner. The team used the logic chain to: 1) define the need (goal), 2) define measures of success, 3) summarize the cause of the gap and performance requirements, 4) select recommendations and solutions, 5) outline baselines, and 6) identify leading and lagging indicators for measuring the impact.

The team used a Force Field Analysis I created for conducting the gap analysis, which helped determine restraining and driving factors that were impacting performance.

Lastly, I made a table which lists interventions and descriptions as part of the recommendations to help close the defined performance gaps

Reflection:

The Sutphen Corporation project was my first experience with a real client who had true performance issues. The work I did was challenging yet rewarding. I came into the project afraid that I would not be able to perform the basic tasks necessary to benefit the client. At the conclusion of the project, I was proud of the end products my team and I presented to the Sutphen Corporation. I learned the value of patience, adaptability and teamwork as well.

IDPT Outcomes Fulfilled:

1. Conduct analysis to identify needs or opportunities for performance and learning improvement. 
2. Design and develop interventions to solve performance and learning problems. 
3. Evaluate performance and learning interventions and solutions.
4. Manage performance and learning projects.
5. Design interventions consistent with ethical standards in the field.