Towards best leadership, governance and management practices in support of reach out to business and the community: an UPBEAT development

The University Partnership to Benchmark Enterprise Activities and Technologies (UPBEAT) developed a methodology to assess the progress of university outreach projects against four generic criteria and then to drive continuous performance improvement. A consortium of five universities (Salford, Lancaster, Leeds Metropolitan, Teesside and Westminster) has refined the theory, methodology and implementation processes of UPBEAT, working closely with academic project leaders/managers in over thirty British universities.

Four underlying enterprise skills were identified in successful leaders of enterprise activities: academic business acumen, individual performance, social networking intelligence and foresight enabling skills. An UPBEAT planning matrix has been developed to provide a tool that enables project leaders to develop creative teams made up of other academics and external partners. It also prompts academics in the continuous development of the four enterprise skills. Learning materials and a web-site have been developed to ensure extended uptake of the process.

The project was completed in 2008.

Total funding : £200,000

Web-site : www.upbeat.eu.com/