i’ve gotten into strength training recently. i never thought this would be the path for me, a cardio lover, but after a recent foot injury, i needed to step away from running and try something new. i explored apps and training plans, trying to find the right fit for my schedule and preferences. as a consultant who has helped dozens of districts design and implement strategic plans, i also knew i could apply some of the principles we use when supporting districts to my weightlifting journey. in our work, we’ve found that the successful implementation of a strategic plan comes down to three key areas:
fidelity - are we doing what we said we’d do in the plan?
effectiveness - how well are we doing what we said we’d do?
impact - is what we’re doing leading to our desired outcomes?
in my weightlifting journey, here’s how fidelity, effectiveness, and impact come into play:
| fidelity |
effectiveness |
impact |
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have i found a training plan?
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do i have the equipment i need or a gym membership?
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have i identified time in my schedule to lift weights?
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how many times per week am i lifting weights?
|
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do i enjoy the training plan i found? does it motivate me?
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which exercises am i doing? what muscle groups am i targeting?
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how many sets am i doing? how much weight am i using?
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am i progressively overloading (adding more weight)?
|
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am i able to lift increasingly heavy weights?
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are exercises getting easier?
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do i have more energy?
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do i see muscle definition?
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am i running faster?
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am i more disciplined and motivated to lift weights?
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when we work with school districts to implement their strategic plans, we use these same principles. let’s say, for instance, a district has a priority in its strategic plan to increase student-centered learning. here is how we would lead conversations around fidelity, effectiveness, and impact with that district.
| fidelity |
effectiveness |
impact |
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have we created professional learning opportunities for teachers to learn more about integrating student-centered learning?
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do teachers have time to collaborate and plan for student-centered learning?
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how many times per week are teachers incorporating student-centered learning practices?
|
- which student-centered learning practices are teachers using?
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how well are teachers using student-centered learning practices? (we could use a guide like this to help!)
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how can we see these practices in action, give feedback, and spread best practices across classrooms?
|
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are students more engaged in learning?
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do students have a sense of agency, voice, and choice?
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do students know what they are learning and why?
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do students report an increased sense of belonging?
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in year one of strategic planning implementation, we can divide the year into three quarterly phases or “sprints.” here’s what a focus on fidelity, effectiveness, and impact can look like through those sprints.
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sprint 1:
fidelity
july - october
|
key activities
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establish fidelity sprint goals
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select 2-3 key initiatives to be the focus of year one implementation
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dive deeply into the work of the plan with school administrators
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form implementation/initiative teams
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determine roles and accountabilities
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determine communications and project planning documents and processes
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collect baseline data to show future growth (consider administering a survey like the tripod 7cs)
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celebrate the creation and launch of the plan and share the timeline and goals of the three upcoming sprints
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measure progress towards fidelity sprint goals
|
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sprint 2: effectiveness
november - february
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key activities
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establish effectiveness sprint goals
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communicate progress made in fidelity sprint with community and key constituents through updates to the district website, newsletter, or board updates
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review project planning documents and determine pivots to implementation systems and structures
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conduct learning walks and/or empathy interviews focused on fidelity and effectiveness of practices
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measure progress towards effectiveness sprint goals
|
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sprint 3:
impact
march - june
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key activities
-
establish impact sprint goals
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conduct learning walks and/or empathy interviews focused on impact
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collect and communicate stories of impact through community updates, videos, board meetings
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collect data to measure progress (consider redelivering a survey like the tripod 7cs)
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conduct a retrospective on year one of implementation and determine key priorities and pivots for year two
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we hear from our district partners that working with us feels a lot like working with a personal trainer. we help to develop the training plan, make sure you show up to work out, correct your form, and help measure and celebrate your successes. if a strategic planning personal trainer would help your district, i hope you’ll reach out. meanwhile, i’ll be signing off to go practice my deadlifts.
