The Nine Principles Framework

The nine principles guide organizational improvement as they set the expectations behaviours, and actions of an organization to both create and sustain a culture of high level achievement (Studer Education, 2023a; Pilcher, n.d.). Essentially, the nine principles act as a map to help organizations develop a successful culture using data and evidence to guide decisions (Studer Education, 2023a; Pilcher, n.d.).

(Studer Group, 2023c)

Principle 1: Commit to Excellence

Organizations must set high level expectations to achieve results while concurrently embodying mission and values (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.). To achieve excellence there must be a focus on improvement and bettering quality (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.). Continuous improvement is the first step in achieving excellence (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.). For organizations to fully achieve excellence it requires the collaborative effort of all members of an organization (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.).

Principle 2: Measure the Important Things

Utilizing an improvement mindset to track progress to achieve results (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.). To improve, one must have a starting point (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.). It is from this starting point that organizations and individuals are able to develop achievable goals (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.). Measurement focuses on those items/actions that will inform improvement and therefore not everything will be measured (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.).

Principle 3: Build a Culture Around Service

Organizations have to embody the values they create (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.). This principle encompasses the actions that the organization takes to ensure continuous improvement as well as results related to the identified change agents (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.). The focus of this principle should be on the customers, whether internal or external to the organization (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.).

Principle 4: Develop Leaders to Develop People

Great organizations have great leaders (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.). Such leaders set performance expectations for employees based on employer values, personify the organizations mission, vision, and values, and assume responsibility for group actions and deliverable outcomes (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.). It is essential that leaders are provided the tools as well as the knowledge, skills, and competence to succeed (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.).

Principle 5: Focus on Employee Engagement

Organizations must address and facilitate employee aspirations in the workplace, facilitating engagement (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.). According to this principle, employee engagement goes beyond satisfaction in one’s work (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.). It is defined as a commitment to their role, as well as ownership and participation in the organizations change strategies and goals (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.). Leaders that make staff engagement a priority allow employees opportunities to have input towards their expectations and performance (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.). Success in this principle confirms leaders and organizations understanding of the impact employees have towards goal achievement (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.).

Principle 6: Build Individual Accountability

This principle encompasses individual accountability (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.). Within organizations, employees are accountable for their actions and when those actions lead to delineated results it creates a sense that they are part of a larger picture within the organization (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.). It is a leader’s role to help employees connect to their work and the mission within their organization (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.).

Principle 7: Align Behaviours with Goals and Values

Consistency of practice assists in propelling the organization in a new and improved direction (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.). An effective organization aligns goals to values (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.). When actions, behaviours, and goals are aligned to values it creates an environment of trust and transparency (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.).

Principle 8: Communicate at All Levels

To succeed, organizations and the people within it require clearer communication (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.). To initiate open communication channels it is important for leaders to clearly communicate the “why” of change (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.). Understanding the reasons why an action is being implemented helps employees integrate themselves as part of the change process (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.). It is also important to consider the process of how communication is shared to individuals within the organization in relation to their work (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.).

Principle 9: Recognize and Reward Success

Acknowledging good work of employees sets a standard of expectation that is likely to be repeated (Studer Education, 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.). Rewards and recognition for good work assist in engaging employees in the process (Studer Education 2023a&d; Pilcher, n.d.) .

By utilizing The Nine Principles Framework to guide improvement leaders are able to:

Think Differently

Commit to a shift in mindset to allow organizational transformation (Pilcher, n.d.).

Plan Differently

Study and assess the organization utilizing the framework of each of the nine principles utilizing this information to formulate plans on what aspects of the organization that should be addressed first (Pilcher, n.d.).

Act Differently

Both change and the use of the nine principles should be viewed as a cyclical process for implementation of action to continuous achieve goals and create organizational improvements (Pilcher, n.d.).

(Studer Group, 2023e)

(Studer Education, 2023b)

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