Action Learning Project Overview

Action learning is a central component of professional development at the University of Michigan Health System (UMHS). The Healthcare Leadership Institute (HCLI) incorporates action learning into its Leadership Development Program (LDP) by offering participants the opportunity to work on significant projects within their institution. Participants will be grouped into multidisciplinary teams; each team will select and commit to working on a project of value to their learning and UMHS. Teams will complete the project at the final session by presenting their recommended actions to appropriate UMHS decision-makers and LDP participants.

Project Ideas
Ideas for projects will be generated in September and October. Proposals can come from LDP participants, current and past, as well as others in UMHS. Participants are encouraged to consider creative projects that might not otherwise be undertaken. Each team will have a project champion, who can be a team member, a former or current LDP participant, or someone outside the Program.

Project Proposal
Each team will submit a concise Project Proposal that includes: names of the project sponsor and team members; a description of the project and its significance to UMHS; project objectives and limitations; methodology and success metric; anticipated outcomes and deliverables. A project management schedule with assigned responsibilities is available at the internal section of the LDP site. Teams will work on their projects from November to March.

Status Reports
During the months when LDP does not meet or when major deliverables are not due, teams are responsible for holding project meetings and completing status reports.  Status reports may be submitted by email.

LDP Presentations
Project teams will have two oral presentations. In January each team will give an Interim Project Presentation highlighting the significance of the project for UMHS, their findings to date, and preliminary recommendations. In March each team will give a Final Oral Presentation to LDP participants and executive decision-makers. The Final Presentation will emphasize recommendations, the data supporting those recommendations, and implications of the project for UMHS. Each team will provide an electronic copy of their final presentation for participants and the LDP archives. If necessary, teams might also present their project recommendations to the appropriate decision-making body subsequent to the completion of LDP.

Written Executive Summary
Each team will write a brief (3-5) page Executive Summary of their findings, conclusions, and recommendations. This Executive Summary of the project is due the final session. Executive Summaries will be archived as a reference for others.

Project Support
Anne Harrington from the Business School is available for project guidance. The Dean’s office will provide additional support for data gathering as requested.

Time Commitment to Project
In addition to time provided during the LDP sessions, it is expected that team members will spend at least 4-6 hours per month on their project.