Form 1 EX Workforace Analysis Focus Group Discussion Guide

OMB Control Number 0925-0648

Expiration Date 03/31/2018

OD – EX Workforce Resource Analysis

NIMH Discussion Guide

Focus Groups

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Introduction: This is a high level assessment intended to gather descriptive feedback and input from staff. Aimed at ensuring alignment with the strategic direction of the Institute, informing leadership of your resource needs, utilization, communication and processes. This assessment is not a workload analysis or assessment, but a review of functions and resources.

Discussion

1. Priorities

   1. Describe how your Office/Program priorities align with NIMH's strategic research priorities and objectives.

   2. Do you think the priorities and objectives have been communicated clearly enough within your organizational unit so that staff understand where you are going, why, and how you will get there?

   3. Are you clear as to how your scientific priorities align with the Institute’s? What can the leadership/your supervisor do to better support you in accomplishing your priorities?

2. Function and Accomplishments

   1. Describe your Office/Program's functional responsibilities.

   2. How do the functional responsibilities support NIMH priorities and primary activities?

   3. Discuss three major achievements in the past year that supported NIMH's mission.

3. Functional Interface and Structure

   1. With whom in the Institute must you interface to achieve the NIMH priorities and your Division or Office primary functions?

   2. How does the organization structure enable this process?

4. People and Measures

   1. Does the Institute have the capabilities (i.e. competencies, abilities) in place to achieve the NIMH mission?

   2. Do you and your staff feel that your goals and performance measures align with the NIMH mission?

   3. What regular interactions do you have with your supervisor? Is your supervisor available to you outside of those regular interactions?

   4. Are you comfortable sharing your work opinions with your supervisor. Do you feel your feedback is heard and being acted upon? Can you provide examples?

5. Process Efficiency

   1. How do work processes and tools utilized within the Institute enable your staff to be effective in support of the NIMH mission?

The new IC Director is walking around for a meet-and-greet and stops to talk to you and asks: “From your perspective what would you change about NIMH? What issue do you think I need to be aware of?"