Outcomes assessment answers the question "Did we, in fact, accomplish what we intended to for our students, University and local community?" It is the process of specifying outcomes, establishing measurable criteria and comparing actual results to those criteria. Changes that some about as a result of these analyses are documented and outcomes are measured again in a following cycle to verify improvement.

* The "five column model" for assessment includes the following steps

* Specify four-to-seven (or any manageable number of) outcomes

* Establish measurable criteria (or "targets") - up to three for each outcome

* Identify assessment tools (e.g. surveys, skills tests, focus groups)

* Analyze assessment results

* Identify improvements and develop action plans

* The assessment cycle in higher education is generally annual and fits within the academic year. Outcomes, targets and assessment tools are established early in the fall semester, data is collected by the end of spring semester, results are analyzed during the summer and early fall.