Appreciating the mandate of the education team in BC government's risk management branch

Abstract

From a heuristic standpoint, this study sought to determine "How might the Education Team support the Risk Management Branch's mandate for continuous improvement?" Using action research from an appreciative inquiry stance, I worked to understand the changes that were affecting the Education Team within the Risk Management Branch (RMB) and how these related to its core mandate and roles. Four methods were used in this research which included a client survey to 85 clients with 12 questions regarding their knowledge of risk management and the value of the services provided, Team interviews, two consultant and executive world cafés and a risk assessment. During the interviews and cafés, four questions were used sequentially to ascertain the participant's thoughts, feelings, values, and wants. These were followed up with a "make it happen" café (Rowe, Agger-Gupta, Harris & Graf, 2013) wherein the participants were shown the findings and draft recommendations from which some additional feedback was garnered. Much data was derived from this research providing recommendations to the Sponsor being the Executive Director of RMB assisting her in moving the Education Team and Branch forward including: (a) providing a better understanding of the mandate and roles, (b) seeking a new leadership approach, (c) responding to a need for new human capital, (d) encouraging more collaboration, (e) implementing Leaner processes, and (f) providing additional educational opportunities.