Goal 3:  Encourage and Increase Collaboration

Support a culture of trust and collaboration.

An environment of trust and collaboration allows people to develop creativity and take risks to overcome obstacles and achieve innovative outcomes far surpassing those of individual efforts.

Strategies and Actions

UTIA will strengthen partnerships.

• Increase number of partnerships with external industries, agencies, and producers as well as internal systemwide
  campuses and institutes.
• Increase number of grant proposals and grant dollars with cross-functional collaboration across missions.
• Increase awareness and utilization of joint resources.
• Implement defined and interdependent performance metrics that drive achievement and joint success.

UTIA will enhance and foster meaningful internal communication.

• Increase number of relevant opportunities for in-person gatherings across the state.
• Increase joint communication efforts.
• Increase leadership team development focused on effective internal communications and team accountability.

UTIA will reduce barriers and duplication of work.

• Reduce duplicative processes or tools and transition to consistent institute-wide tools and systems.
• Clearly define and communicate the relationships and roles between UTIA, UT Knoxville, and UT System Administration and shared services.
• Develop and implement service level agreements for administrative units to communicate the extent and nature of services provided and define case response expectations.

Outcomes and Metrics

• Increase the network of statewide, national, and international collaborations.
• Increase number of relevant opportunities for in-person gatherings across the state, expanding the audience as appropriate.

Example: UTIA is launching a recognition program to celebrate employees statewide. We will continue to host employee appreciation events and encourage in-person gatherings across the state.