Transforming the NSF Academy
Paul Barsnica
Chief, NSF Academy
Purpose
• Transforming the NSF Academy to accommodate
NSF’s Organizational Excellence Strategic Goal
• Activities Underway
• Future Opportunities
• Continuing Challenges
The NSF Academy, More to offer than Training
NSF Academy Transformation
Organizational Excellence
• NSF Academy: From training department to a
catalyst for the creation of a continuous learning
organization
– Applying proactive approach to identifying and
implementing the “right” programs
– Aligning learning programs with the mission and
strategic goals of NSF
– Attaining a progressive leadership position, in the
use of technology, blended learning, and
eLearning
Business Case Framework
Targeted Area
Purpose
Primary
Stakeholders
Products & Services
Measures of
Success
Knowledge
Acquisition
Develop Knowledge, skills
& competencies to
Improve performance of
employees
Employees,
managers,
supervisors
Courses, curricula,
competency maps
User satisfaction,
class fill, training
days, business results
improvement
Instructional
Technology
Advance innovative and
cutting-edge technologies
in learning. Improve
performance
Employees,
managers,
supervisors
Distance Learning,
discovery learning,
knowledge sharing
collaboration learning
ROI, end user
satisfaction
Personal &
Professional
Enhancement
Career mapping,
development, and
motivation
Employees,
managers,
supervisors, Senior
Leadership team
Knowledge system,
development in core
competencies, employee
& leadership
development
Implementation of
Succession Planning,
improved
performance,
increased morale
Organizational
Effectiveness
Add value to the
organization and its
stakeholders, improve
business practices
Business unit
customers,
employees,
managers,
supervisors, Senior
Leadership
Performance analysis &
consulting,
organizational
development, business
solutions
Balanced Scorecard,
business results,
customer value
NSF Academy Transformation
Activities
Knowledge Acquisition
• Implemented Project Management Certificate Program
– 41 Masters and 85 Associates certificates
Instructional Technology
• Created online courses on NSF eBusiness processes (with DIS)
Personal and Professional Enhancement
• Developed leadership curriculum (with HRM)
– Suite of supervisory programs
– Online “Manager’s Handbook” for incoming senior managers
Organizational Effectiveness
• Institutionalized OD services (with Directorates)
– Strategic Planning, Team Building, Climate Surveys,
Communication-Negotiation-Conflict Resolution Workshops, and
Retreat Planning and Facilitation
– Conducted 34 Unique Workshops and Retreats
NSF Academy Transformation
Activities Underway
Knowledge Acquisition
• Modernizing the Welcome to the NSF Enterprise
(with OEOP & HRM)
• Modernizing Program Management Seminars
Organizational Effectiveness
• Restructuring DD Roundtables as Just-in-Time
continuous learning programs and seminars
• Implementing Division Director’s Retreat
NSF Academy Transformation
Other Activities Underway
Personal and Professional Enhancement
• Developing Mentor program for rotators
• Developing Mentor program for administrative
employees
Instructional Technology
• Implementing LMS (with DIS, HRM, AWG)
• Implementing Groove and Knowledge
Management Communities of Practice (with CIO)
Transformation Goals
Future Opportunities
• Institute After Hours Plus and Continuing
Education Program
• Institute Career Counseling Office
• Automate Individual Development Plans
• Develop Federal Service Education Program
• Develop “New Manager’s Program”
Continuing Challenges
• How do we effectively collect and share
knowledge?
• How do we promote the development of
leadership skills for NSF managers?
• How do we promote the broader use of
technology enabled learning tools and systems?