Twelve P’s for Assessing Risk in Academic Policies and Procedures

PURPOSE? – Why has the procedure or policy been introduced, what is it intended to achieve, and what outcome is it expected to deliver?

PARTIES? – Who are the people involved with the policy or procedure?

• Those who devised it
• Those who sponsor it
• Those required to administer it
• Those affected by it
• Those who will use the end product

POSITION? – Where does the policy or procedure fit within the wider university system? What tasks, assumptions, processes, etc., precede and follow it, and does what is envisaged integrate smoothly with all of these?

PROTOCOL? – Is there a protocol governing its operation (a manual, set of instructions, template, etc.,) to ensure consistency, uniformity, and accountability?

PACE? – How slowly or quickly does the process proceed, or is the policy implemented, and is this the most appropriate for all participants (both those originating it and those affected?

PACKAGE? – How is the process explained (packaged) to those affected by it?

PATTERN? – Does the process conform to the normal procedures within the university?

PAYMENT? – Who pays for the process or policy (either directly or indirectly)? Does the benefit received outweigh the costs involved?

PRODUCTIVITY? – How many staff does the process involve, and is each one of these absolutely essential?

PRODUCT? – What does the process actually produce? Is this what was intended and does this come in a form in which it can be used effectively as an input for subsequent procedures?

PROGRESSION? – Is the process reviewed at regular intervals and improved as required?

PREMONITION? – How do the staff feel about the procedure? Are they comfortable with it, or do they fear that something is just waiting to go wrong?

In his book, Dick goes through each of these questions in detail. To read the whole book, please email Dick and he will share a copy with you directly.