Exploring the use of the human performance improvement model in an academic quality improvement program institution

The U.S. Department of Education is responsible for establishing requirements for accreditation in higher education. Recent adjustments in these requirements have placed the emphasis on continuous quality improvement. These requirements have placed an additional financial burden on institutions of higher education, especially publically supported institutions. Possible remedies for the increasing costs might be found in continuous quality improvement programs proven to be successful in the corporate world. One of these is the Performance Improvement/Human Performance Technology (HPT) model. A review of the literature did not reflect direct use of the human performance technology model in higher education, even though proven successful in reducing costs in business. In the Midwestern United States, the Higher Learning Commission, in complying with the continuous improvement mandate of the federal government, established an academic pathway to reaffirmation of accreditation called the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP). To determine if the HPT model had been used either intentionally or unintentionally, a case study was completed with a Midwestern U.S. community college that had been successful in attaining reaffirmation of accreditation while in AQIP. The case study probed for reasons for the success by comparing actual cost improvement processes with HPT's 10 principles. It was discovered that many of the principles were utilized unknowingly and showed great success. Peripheral support was discovered in the form of leadership that was helpful in managing the change acceptance required for continuous quality improvement. These practices were key elements in a cultural shift that maintained the shared governance properties of academia while seeking the changes necessary for successful application of continuous improvement. The research revealed many uses of the 10 principles of human performance technology even though there was no direct knowledge of the model. These application included establishing partnerships, determining opportunity and cause, and implementing solutions. The research suggests that by adapting principles of human performance to the academic environment benefits would be gained in the efficiency and cost of maintaining continuous quality improvement. It is recommended that future research involve the intentional implementation of HPT processes by institutions of higher education to achieve meaningful change and improved institutional effectiveness.