People, processes, and technology, or the PPT framework is a well-regarded and well-established model used to improve organizational efficiency and output by businesses since the 1960s. In the context of schools, this framework acquires much greater importance because the interdependent interaction between these three pillars has both micro and macro impacts. At a micro level, they influence and govern the school’s operational efficiency, outcomes, growth in the long term, and overall reputation in the industry. At the macro level, they impact each student’s learning journey and future in very real terms. It is, therefore, critical for us to understand how we can strengthen and leverage these three pillars of our schools and ensure that they not only operate harmoniously but also with optimum efficiency and maximum growth impact.
Being a technology company specializing in school software, Schoolpad and its team are intimately aware of the delicate balance that is needed for new technology, software, and tools to succeed in schools. In our experience, without the right balance and proper dynamics between the PPT, no tech or innovation or future-ready ideas can truly work to their potential in the schools.
Understanding The PPT
People do the work. Processes make this work more efficient and technology helps people do their tasks and also helps automate the processes. Consider this as a three-legged stool. If one of the legs is a bit longer or shorter, the whole stool will lose its balance. It will be wobbly. With the influx of new technology and the rapidly changing technological landscape, schools must upskill their people and modify their processes to adapt to the new tools. The balance of this three-legged stool needs to be maintained. We cannot throw new technology and fancy tools into the mix, assuming that bringing technology into our school will automatically solve all our problems. Technology in education is only as effective as the processes utilizing it and the people who handle it.
The People
People, our teams, the hands that wield the technology is a leg without which no school or school management can stand on. Recruiting and onboarding staff members with the right skills, knowledge, attitude, and temperament is an essential first step in a school’s larger growth story. But merely onboarding the right people is not enough. It is also essential to clearly define their responsibilities, and strengthen and upskill them with proper training. Onboarding the right people, clearly defining their roles and responsibilities, and providing them with the requisite training are the 3 essential steps of people management that no school can afford to overlook if they want to truly leverage the power of PPT.
Also Read: 3 Easy Ways To Ensure Optimum and Consistent Outcomes From Your School Management Software
The Processes
Building easy-to-understand processes lend much-needed clarity to the schools’ functioning systems. The clearer the processes, the easier it is for the staff members to manage expectations and understand exactly the steps they are required to follow to arrive at the desired outcome. In our experience at Schoolpad, it is the processes that are the true differentiator between a good school and a great school.
Once the processes are defined, the staff can be trained to follow the processes, understand the specifics of their role and scope of their responsibility, and what it is that they are required to do. Processes play an important role in designing or choosing the right training programs for the staff members. Once people are trained on processes, systems must be built to ensure that these processes and the outcomes are reviewed and regular feedback is provided to help people develop their competencies and expand their skills.
The Technology
Living in the era of technology, and as a technology company ourselves, we at Schoolpad can never overstate the importance of great tech and tools in building future-ready schools. However, we also understand that technology is not a panacea for school problems, not unless it is properly backed by people and processes.
Also Read: 3 Essential Elements of a Great Result Generation Platform for Your School
Technology provides the tools that staff members can use to implement and even automate their processes. Due to the ease and efficiency they offer, it is very tempting to get attracted to shiny new ed-tech tools. However, as we stated above, technology alone is not the answer. The schools need to make sure that the technology fits into their school and that the school is ready to utilize it. Technology is nothing without the right people following the right process to support it. The technology will only achieve its desired results if it is brought into play after the problem is clearly understood and the requirements are clearly stated, people are recruited and trained, and the processes are defined. For technology to be the tool that catalyzes a school’s growth in an optimum way, schools need to articulate their objectives and requirements, define processes, and train people to leverage the technology to its fullest.
Want to understand how the PPT framework can help your school’s growth story? Want to know how Schoolpad can enhance and empower the PPT in your school? Please write to us at connect@schoolpad.in . You can also click on the request a demo link and one of our coaches will get in touch with you.
