1 SET-UP

	Project Team Roles: Executive Sponsor, Program Manager, EPIC Administrator, Coach

The program set-up includes clarifying the purpose, scope and timeline; and conducting meetings with the project team: executive sponsor, EPIC administrator, and coach.

Meeting with Executive Sponsor
The information below provides an outline of the topics that we recommend be addressed in early set-up meetings involving at least the Executive Sponsor and the Program Manager.

Clarify the Purpose

• Identify how Everything DiSC^® 363™ for Leaders will be used in your organization. For example: "The purpose of the Everything DiSC 363 for Leaders program is to encourage and support the development of excellent leadership at XYZ organization."
• Successful 360s are not used for performance appraisal. Be sure to communicate that Everything DiSC 363 for Leaders focuses on developing leaders by giving them insights into how others see them and that the results will not be used for appraisal.

Determine Scope and Timeline

• Identify the leaders who will participate.
• Determine which rater groups will be used: Managers, Direct Reports, Peers, and Others.
• Define who belongs in the “Other” group (if applicable; i.e. internal and external customers)
• Decide who will choose raters in your organization. Best practices research suggests:
  • allowing leaders to choose their own raters.
  • encouraging leaders to seek a broad spectrum of input (not just from colleagues who like them).
• Set a timeframe that creates a sense of urgency so people don’t procrastinate, but is also realistic so it doesn’t interfere with day-to-day priorities. Sample timeline for a three-month project:
  1. Set-Up: allow 2 weeks
  2. Communication: allow 2 weeks
  3. Assessment: allow 4 weeks (set a two-week deadline and allow extra time for extensions)
  4. Coach: allow 4 weeks (depending on number of leaders)
  5. Wrap-Up: allow 1 week

Brief EPIC Administrator and Coach

• Assign the role of EPIC Administrator
  • Brief the administrator on scope and timeline
  • Direct them to their online resources (3. Assessment)
• Assign or hire coach(es)
  • Brief the coach(es) on scope and timeline
  • Direct them to their online resources (4. Coaching)

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