DRIVE Continuous Improvement Tool

One of the college's strategic action teams developed the DRIVE continuous improvement tool, which includes the following five components:

D - Define
R - Review
I - Implement
V - Evaluate
E - Integrate

Two versions of this tool have been developed. One is used for non-instructional processes and the second is used for instructional processes. The major steps are the same but the details under each step are different.

The instructional DRIVE tool describes the steps involved in improving student learning by assessing student academic achievement. The non-instructional DRIVE tool describes the steps involved in improving all other processes.

DRIVE Purpose
In our Moraine Valley mission statement, we state that "We are committed to continuous improvement and dedicated to providing accessible, affordable, and diverse learning opportunities and environments." Also, one of the College's strategic priorities is to "build organizational capability through continuous improvement."

In addition, the DRIVE continuous improvement tool serves the following practical purposes:

• Provides a consistent method to follow when evaluating an existing or developing a new process.
• Provides an objective approach to evaluating processes. This can be especially useful with difficult processes such as redistributing resources or eliminating programs and services.
• Provides a comprehensive approach to continuously improving processes. By following all of the steps, important information is not overlooked and outcomes are not inadequate.
• Provides documentation when working toward recommendations for change and/or improvement. When all of the steps are followed, the resulting outcomes and recommendations will be supported and justifiable.

Training Program Goals
The strategic action team also developed and piloted a DRIVE training program. This training program is offered to departments collegewide to support implementation of institutional effectiveness activities. The purpose and goals of this training program include:

• Understand continuous improvement and institutional effectiveness concepts
• Understand DRIVE as a tool to help with continuous improvement
• Practice using the DRIVE tool
• Identify next steps to fully implement and report on DRIVE tool usage and resulting improvements