The 60-minute breakout sessions throughout the day focused on successful practices, tools, and other topics related to improving organizational effectiveness—offered by those with experience and expertise.
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Sessions
Navigating the Organizational Hairball to Revive Creativity and Inspire Innovation
Presented by Deb Filipiak and Jacob Hahn, internal consultants, Office of Strategic Consulting
Using Gordon MacKenzie’s groundbreaking book, “Orbiting the Giant Hairball,” this highly interactive session explored the fascinating concept of the organizational hairball—the entanglement of rules and systems that can lead to mediocrity within a workplace. Participants learned strategies to skillfully navigate the intersection between creativity and institutional structures to revive their creative spirit and inspire innovation.
Managing Complex Change: A Model for Transformation
Presented by Chris Dakes, director, Angela Kita, associate director, and Christa Wille, research analyst, Center for Innovation in Engineering Education, College of Engineering; and Haley Briel, teaching and learning specialist, Collaboratory for Engineering Education and Teaching Excellence, College of Engineering
Dr. Mary Lippitt’s “Managing Complex Change” model helps organizations define necessary elements, identify barriers, and focus on high-impact points of intervention to advance change initiatives. This session highlighted how Lippitt’s model served as a framework for the successful launch and sustained growth of the Center for Innovation in Engineering Education (CIEE). Participants heard about the lessons learned throughout the process and plans for future sustainability to enhance the culture and climate of learning in Engineering. Through structured small-group discussions and activities, participants also explored how the model can be tailored to their own work. They left with practical strategies to navigate complexities, overcome barriers, and drive impactful change initiatives.
Fostering Positive Workplace Change: A Collective Approach to Climate Issues
Presented by Eric Lynne, admissions business analyst, Alissa Ewer, assistant dean, Amy Fruchtman, assistant director of professional development, William J. Karpus, dean, Peter Kinsley, senior research and policy analyst, Debbie Klimek, application review specialist, and Jules Whitaker, research mentor training specialist in the Graduate School Delta Program, Graduate School
Sparked by findings from the 2022 UW–Madison Staff Climate Survey, the Graduate School—an administrative unit with 28 staff members—began a thoughtfully planned effort to improve its workplace climate. In this session, participants heard about the participatory, data-driven approach they used to identify and address workplace challenges. They learned the specific steps the team took as part of this approach and heard insights from a panel of Graduate School staff on the effectiveness of the approach for making positive workplace change. Participants left with a practical organizational development model for improving workplace climate that they can use or adapt for their own unit.
How to Build Strong Project Teams Using Servant-Leadership Practices
Presented by Joe Goss, senior business analyst and project manager, Division of Information Technology
How well a project team functions has a direct impact on how well it performs and can significantly impact project outcomes. So, what characteristics make for a strong project team? And, as a project leader, how can you help a team succeed—even on the most challenging project? In this session, participants discovered the value of servant-leadership practices in helping team members feel supported, safe, empowered, and innovative. They learned how to apply a few simple strategies from this transformational leadership style—like listening, empathy, awareness, foresight, and commitment to personal growth—to build strong project teams.
2:00-3:00 p.m. Sessions
The Practical Application of Design Sprints for Product and Service Optimization
Presented by Cindy Bush, director of insights and market strategy, and Mary Cummins, web development and UX manager, Wisconsin School of Business
In this session, participants learned about design sprints as a tool to help optimize the products and services they deliver to their customers. They heard about the ins and outs of design sprints and how the Wisconsin School of Business applied a design sprint to improve the user experience for comparing business graduate degrees. At the conclusion of the session, participants had the opportunity to actively engage in a mini, interactive design sprint. They left with a comprehensive user guide and the knowledge and confidence to incorporate design sprints into their own projects.
The Science of High-Performing Teams
Presented by Patrick Kelly, Team Science research and program manager, and Whitney Sweeney, Team Science Core scientist, Institute for Clinical and Translational Research
Success in the modern workplace depends on collaboration and teamwork. The Science of Team Science—an interdisciplinary field that examines how scientific teams, research centers, and institutes work together—offers an innovative approach to help teams maximize their performance, satisfaction, and impact.
In this session, participants learned about the competency areas crucial for high-performing teams: team management, communication, collaborative problem-solving, affect, and leadership. They gained an understanding of team interventions, such as collaboration planning and transdisciplinary symposia, designed to help teams strategically plan their collaborations and inspire new interdisciplinary or cross-disciplinary projects. Participants also found out about the Team Science resources and services available to the UW–Madison community through the UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research’s Team Science Core. Throughout the session, they engaged in interactive activities to foster dialogue and reflection.
Applied Tools for Measuring Effectiveness: How UW Collaborated with State and Local Partners to Assess the Impact of a Vital Service
Presented by Erin Skalitzky and Janae Goodrich, evaluation researchers, and Caleb Hogeterp, evaluation research specialist, UW Population Health Institute
In this session, participants learned about the collaborative effort behind the “988 in Wisconsin” public-facing data dashboard, a project involving UW, state, and local partners. They heard how UW researchers, driven by the Wisconsin Idea and university values, developed the tool to assess the effectiveness of the “988” service in the state (“988” is the three-digit, nationwide phone number to connect directly to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline). Participants gained a deeper understanding of how the tool was conceptualized, developed, and deployed, all while maintaining an equity lens and navigating partnerships across diverse systems. And they walked away with insights from a discussion of the processes used and lessons learned, which can help inform their own collaborations.
Aligning Change Management and Communication for Project Success
Presented by Vanessa Taulbee, business analysis and change management associate director, Lauren Bruce, communications manager, and Bobby Jo Morse, strategic IT portfolio management office director, Division of Information Technology
Change management and communication are two critical components of any successful project. So how can you do both better? In this session, participants discovered how change management can be imbued into every aspect of their work—on everything from their individual projects to large cross-functional initiatives they support. They learned how the timing and method of communication significantly impact outcomes and how to identify when they are communicating but not managing change. Participants also engaged in a conversation about practical approaches to change management and communication, connected with experts to discuss their specific situations, and left with practical insights and resources.