All Change and Programme Management Office courses

An introduction to the 8 Wastes (Lean methodology), and how to spot hidden waste in your own processes.

A short how-to guide to creating and using SIPOC analysis in process improvement

“Values are the beliefs that are important to us about the way we interact with each other, how we work together effectively towards common goals and the behaviours that we demonstrate and expect to see from our colleagues.” (Emma Rampton, Registrary)

The ourcambridge Supporting our Staff team have developed this session, to provide a follow up to the very popular ‘What do you value in life?’ workshop. In the first session, participants identified their own personal values and considered what they might mean for how they lived their life and went about their work. In this follow up session, participants will reflect further on their personal values and participate in some exercises that will help them to identify further positive actions they can take to achieve closer alignment to their values in a supportive and motivating environment.

This short session will provide an understanding of the principles, tools and techniques involved in Process Analysis with a view to improving business process effectiveness and efficiency. Delegates will have the opportunity to practice using the techniques that they learn via exercises designed to be enjoyable and thought provoking.

The course refers to the methodology used in conjunction with Triaster process mapping software available to users across the University of Cambridge.

This short session will provide an understanding of the principles, tools and techniques involved in Process Analysis with a view to improving business process effectiveness and efficiency. Delegates will have the opportunity to practice using the techniques that they learn via exercises designed to be enjoyable and thought provoking.

A series of informal peer-to-peer discussion groups have been arranged for Departmental Administrators and managers with responsibility for discussing and agreeing working arrangements with individuals in teams over the weeks and months ahead. The sessions are to share plans, ideas, and feedback during the ongoing implementation of hybrid working as more staff return to the workplace.

Each small group session will be facilitated by a member of the ‘Cambridge Works – New Ways of Working Project Team’

A series of informal peer-to-peer discussion groups have been arranged for Departmental Administrators and equivalent roles to share plans, ideas, and feedback during the ongoing implementation of hybrid working as more staff return to the workplace. Each small group session will be facilitated by the Co-leads for the ‘Digital Workplace Programme'. Please note: these sessions will focus on technology in relation to hybrid working: software, hardware and digital skills.

A series of informal peer-to-peer discussion groups have been arranged for those across all staff groups who have responsibility for discussing and agreeing working arrangements with individuals in their teams over the weeks and months ahead. The sessions are to share plans, ideas, and feedback during the ongoing implementation of hybrid working as more staff return to the workplace.

Each small group session will be facilitated by a member of the ‘Cambridge Works – New Ways of Working Project Team’

The Champions Christmas Social is just what it says – a chance for you to have an informal festive get together with your fellow champions. As in 2020, we’ve made it an online event to enable the maximum number of people to attend. It is a great opportunity to enjoy some Christmas cheer and get to know each other better.

"Communities of Practice are action and purpose driven groups, engaged in a process of co-creation, collaboration, shared peer-learning and innovation around shared goals, values, vision and interests." (Danielle Bultoc, UCL)

CoPs bring colleagues together in order to:

• Create support networks
• Learn and grow their skills
• Share knowledge and join up related work
• Share common approaches 
• Collaborate and innovate, and create better practices for everyone.

Come along to this session to find out more about how CoPs are being established and embedded at Cambridge, and the ways in which they could help you and those who you manage. There will be the opportunity to share ideas and concerns you have about the CoPs initiative and learn more about this exciting new area of development in the University.

"Communities of Practice are action and purpose driven groups, engaged in a process of co-creation, collaboration, shared peer-learning and innovation around shared goals, values, vision and interests.” (Danielle Bultoc, UCL)

CoPs bring colleagues together in order to:

• Create support networks

• Learn and grow their skills

• Share knowledge and join up related work

• Share common approaches

• Collaborate and innovate, and create better practices for everyone.

Come along to this session to find out more about how CoPs are being established and embedded at Cambridge, and the ways in which they could help you and those who you work with to achieve your objectives. There will be the opportunity to ask questions, share ideas for potential new CoPs and learn more about this exciting new area of development in the University.

In this virtual session, we are pleased to welcome Claire Michel. Claire manages several projects relating to undergraduate education. These include a Reimagining Professional Services local project for all professional staff members supporting undergraduate education in the School of the Biological Sciences. The aim is to share good practices, improve processes, and increase consistency across departments. The talk will give you an overview of the project and a chance to see how RPS can be applied locally.

As always, there will be an open discussion and opportunity to discuss the Continuous Improvement initiatives that delegates are involved in and seek advice from colleagues across the group.

We are delighted to welcome Dave Bishton, Head of Business Change (& Service Improvement) at the University of Warwick who will run a session to discuss how understanding service demand and matching to the capacity of University services can help us deliver effective, Lean services.

This is one session in a series of structured workshops to help develop our future People Strategy

Have you heard of the term ‘interruption science’? In this session Gloria Mark, Chancellor’s Professor of Informatics at the University of California (Irvine), will talk to us about the effects of disruptions in the world of work. What impact do the many interruptions we face on a daily basis (such as email notifications) really have on us and our productivity. During the session Gloria will also explore technology design and our attention spans, and a mindful approach to technology.

About the Trainer

Gloria Mark is Professor of Informatics at the University of California, Irvine. She received her PhD from Columbia University in psychology. She has been a visiting senior researcher at Microsoft Research since 2012. Her primary research interest is in understanding the impact of digital media on people's lives and she is best known for her work in studying people's multitasking, mood and behaviour while using digital media in real world environments. She has published over 150 papers in the top journals and conferences in the fields of human-computer interactions (HCI) and Computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW) and is author of the book Multitasking in the Digital Age.

These events are sponsored by HR, ourcambridge and UIS as part of the Digital Workplace and Cambridge Works Programmes.

How have your work habits changed since lockdown? In this session, we will explore how to ensure a healthy balance of work/life habits, especially at a time when we are spending more time online than ever before. We will discuss some practical tips and strategies about how to control digital burnout, and how to manage your time and energy while working remotely.

Questions to think about before this session:

• What do you find are the best parts of working remotely?
• What do you find are the most challenging aspects of working remotely?

These events are sponsored by ourcambridge and UIS as part of the Digital Workplace Programme.

Do you have an idea for a new Community of Practice? Or perhaps you have an existing group that you think might be suitable to become a Community of Practice. If, after looking at the guidance on the CoPs Sharepoint Hub, you would like to talk through your plans with a member of the CoP Support Group (CSG), then these 30min drop in sessions are for you!

Please note, these sessions are informal, 1-2-1 meetings where colleagues can ask for advice and guidance from the Communities of Practice support team. If there is more than of you working on an idea together, we suggest one of you book on and invites the other(s) CoP initiator(s)/leader(s). We will assume you have already familiarised yourself with the information and guidance on the Sharepoint, and have already begun to develop your ideas for a CoP.

A series of 30 minute drop-in sessions to talk with one of the Simplifying our Processes team. We offer expert, impartial advice relating all things process improvement and want to support our colleagues on their own continuous improvement journeys.

Please note, these sessions are informal, 1-2-1 meetings where colleagues can ask for advice and guidance from the Simplifying our Processes team. These are not workshops or taught sessions.

The Simplifying our Processes team will be available 9-10 and 4-5 every Tuesday and Friday - each hour can be split into two sessions of 30 minutes depending on demand.

A series of 30 minute drop-in sessions to talk with one of the Simplifying our Processes team. We offer expert, impartial advice relating all things process improvement and want to support our colleagues on their own continuous improvement journeys.

Please note, these sessions are informal, 1-2-1 meetings where colleagues can ask for advice and guidance from the Simplifying our Processes team. These are not workshops or taught sessions.

The Simplifying our Processes team will be available 9-10 and 4-5 every Tuesday and Friday - each hour can be split into two sessions of 30 minutes depending on demand.

A community of practice (CoP) is a group of people who share a common passion, set of problems, or interest in a topic and who come together to fulfil both individual and group goals in order to:

• Create support networks
• Learn and grow their skills
• Share knowledge and join up related work
• Share common approaches
• Collaborate and innovate, and create better practices for everyone.

Come along to this session if you would like to find out more, or be involved in the exciting development of a potential new EA/PA CoP. A lot of interest has been expressed about forming a CoP in this area - there will be the opportunity to ask questions, share ideas and learn more about how this could grow into a successfully functioning CoP.

This focus group provides an opportunity for you to support the ourcambridge team and contribute to the delivery of more effective and efficient meetings across the University.

Are you fed up with ineffective meetings? Or, are you already approaching meetings in an innovative way? The ourcambridge team would love your input, which will help to shape the guidance and toolkit we are producing.

The focus group will be formed of 6 colleagues using Microsoft Teams to discuss and answer a short series of questions centred around effective meetings and the guidance produced.

5S is defined as a methodology that results in a workplace that is clean, uncluttered, safe, and well organized to help reduce waste and optimize productivity. It's designed to help build a quality work environment, both physically and mentally.

This short virtual session looks at the Lean 5S tool as a way of organising workspace and how this can help wellbeing. It also draws comparisons with the Marie Kondo tidying method.

In preparation for the session, please take a photograph of something that makes you happy.

You will receive joining instructions a few days before the session with instructions on where to upload your photographs.

ourcambridge is leading a project focused on developing resources and tools to help and support workload management for professional services staff at the University.

This focus group will discuss the types of tools and resources that individuals, managers, and teams may find most useful. The focus group will be formed of 6 colleagues using Microsoft Teams.

The session will be led by Jenny Rampling, Senior Programme Co-ordinator

This talk will present an evidence-based take on time management: one that’s grounded in the latest research in cognitive science, psychology, and chronobiology. We’ll look at how people can gain control over their time in order to focus on what matters, in a way that reduces stress and increases emotional well-being. This talk will be highly interactive and organic, with plenty of opportunity to discuss ideas and insights around time management. So don't be afraid to ask questions and share your thoughts and stories!

About the Trainer

Brad Aeon is an Assistant Professor at the School of Management Sciences at University of Quebec in Montreal. He conducts research on the sociology, history, and philosophy of time management. His studies focus on how people can achieve what matters to them while reducing stress and living more meaningful lives. Brad’s ideas and insights have been featured in top-tier media outlets worldwide, including the BBC News, the Harvard Business Review, Entrepreneur, the Huffington Post, and many others. His 2017 TEDx Talk, "The Philosophy of Time Management," urges people to reflect on their relationship with time and on how to live more mindfully.

These events are sponsored by HR, ourcambridge and UIS as part of the Digital Workplace and Cambridge Works Programmes.

This interactive course is complementary to other courses within the Continuous Improvement theme and is designed to give delegates the knowledge and tools to;

• Plan and deliver process improvement workshops
• Coach and support others to improve processes