Idea management for the administration
The idea management scheme is underpinned by the belief that all university staff may have valuable ideas that can improve and further develop the administration. The ideas management scheme provides a framework for gathering, evaluating and implementing these ideas. It is primarily focused on the administration and the services it provides or should provide.
Every idea counts!
Whether big or small – ideas from all JMU staff are welcome. The only important thing is that the suggestions highlight a solution or improvement that has not yet been planned or implemented.
There is a short online form for submitting ideas, so that the key details are already included at the time of submission. As the person submitting the idea, please briefly describe the problem and the potential improvement.
You will receive a confirmation of receipt and may be contacted with further questions. Department A.3 carries out a preliminary assessment and prepares the proposals for the Ideas Board.
Depending on the scope of the change or the effort required, there are then two possible courses of action:
- Smaller ideas or those that can be implemented quickly are discussed and decided upon approximately once a month by the Ideas Board’s small group (excluding the Chancellor).
- Larger ideas that require more effort, or where the effort involved is difficult to estimate, are prepared for the Ideas Board’s half-yearly meeting, chaired by the Chancellor, where a decision is made.
In all cases, those who submitted the ideas will receive feedback on the decision taken. Where appropriate, they may also be further involved in the implementation of the idea. However, it may also happen that ideas which are not yet feasible are placed in an ideas bank for future consideration. Rejection is also possible, for example if the effort involved outweighs the benefits. Furthermore, ideas may be forwarded to the Innovation Centre for Modern Administration in Bavaria if they extend beyond our remit at JMU Würzburg.
Examples of ideas
‘Small’ ideas might include:
- Introducing notifications for specific processes or delays to provide greater transparency for those affected by the process or ‘customers’,
- A proposal for a specific measure to improve ergonomics (if the expected costs are high, this would probably be categorised as one of the ‘larger ideas’)
- Improving (workplace) safety through additional or better signage or the elimination of sources of risk
- Improving the appeal of the campus through specific tidying, design or beautification initiatives
‘Bigger’ ideas could include:
- Introduction of electronic or digital systems for specific processes or subject areas
- Changing processes or procedures (depending on the scope, this might also be considered a ‘smaller’ idea)
- Purchasing machinery or equipment to enable tasks to be carried out more efficiently or safely
