• Defining, achieving, and sustaining excellence at USC
• Three core approaches: process improvement and resource optimization
• How to focus your effort and define project scope
• Building a strong project charter
• Engaging stakeholders and using meaningful measures

2 Hours  •  In person  •  Wednesday, September 10, 2025  •  2-4 p.m

• Clarify the WHY, WHAT, and HOW of a process improvement project
• Use a project roadmap to guide work through three project phases:Discovery, Possibility, and Planning
• Apply essential tools (e.g., process mapping, waste reduction, standardization)
• Avoid common pitfalls and keep momentum moving
• Track progress, measure results, and communicate impact

    3 Hours  •  In person  •  Tuesday, September 23, 2025  •  9 a.m. to noon

• Define the WHY, WHAT, and HOW of a resource optimization project
• Set clear, plain-language outcomes with a strong end in mind
• Follow the roadmap: Discovery, Possibility, Planning
• Use distinct tools tailored to resource optimization (not just process improvement)
• Avoid common pitfalls, move smoothly to implementation, and track results
• Use problem-solving as a core improvement skill

3 Hours  •  In person  •  Wednesday, October 1, 2025  •  9 a.m. to noon

(Individual work following this session: Finish your project charter and start your project. Use the three weeks before the next session to make strong progress – reach out to the OE team anytime for support.)

• Understand the unique value of the facilitator role
• Strengthen key skills to engage, focus, and align groups
• Navigate team dynamics and project ups and downs
• Know when to stay neutral – and when to step in

2 Hours  •  In person  •  Thursday, October 23, 2025  •  1:30-3:30 p.m.

(Following this session: Continue working on your improvement project.)

• Hear stories and gain insights from other improvement leaders
• Share progress, lessons learned, and project milestones
• Give and receive guidance from peers in the cohort

1.5 Hours  •  Teams  •  Friday, November 14, 2025  •  2-3:30 p.m.

(Individual work following this session: Continue working on your improvement project, and reach out to the Office of Organizational Excellence whenever you need support.)

• Share plans for wrapping up and moving to implementation
• Get input from peers and the OE team on next steps

1.5 Hours  •  Teams  •  Tuesday, December 9, 2025  •  2-3:30 p.m.

(Individual work after this session: Continue working on your project. Report progress and challenges to inform the upcoming session.)

• Meeting the challenge of guiding your project through to completion
• Making the most of momentum as you move to implementation
• Additional content will be tailored to participants’ learning needs based on their project progress

1.5 Hours  •  In person  •  Friday, January 9, 2026  •  9-10:30 a.m.

(After this session: Continue working on your project.)

In this final session, we celebrate each improvement leader's progress and commitment to what’s next. It’s a chance to reflect, share, and be recognized – joined by colleagues, sponsors, and university leaders.

1.5 Hours  •  In person  •  Thursday, February 12, 2026  •  9-10:30 a.m.

In March, each participant will give a 20-minute presentation highlighting their project’s purpose, progress, and projected impact. Sessions will be scheduled individually to align with each project’s timeline, with invitations extended to university leaders, sponsors, team members, and colleagues.