Our Templates & Tools provide practical resources to support efficient, effective work across the university. From guides on filing and naming conventions to templates for evaluating outcomes, these materials are designed to help you streamline processes, maintain consistency, and measure impact.
Let's get organized
Clear, consistent practices to keep your work in order. Because a little structure goes a long way.
- Desk Manuals | A one-page guide for building continuity resources.
- File Structures | Where should I save this file so others can find it later?
- Naming Conventions | How should I name this file so people can find it, know what it is, and trust it's the latest version?
- Records & Retention Policies | Do I really need to keep this - and for how long? Access the full here.
Let's improve things
Tools to help you clean up processes, align goals, and show results.
- Before & After Snapshot Template | Visually show the impact of your improvement.
- Desk Manual Template | Help ensure continuity during absences or transitions.
- Goal Cascade Template | Align departmental goals with institutional priorities. It helps ensure that every layer of the organization understands its role in contributing to the broader mission.
- Micro-Level: Practical Tools & Habits | Think of this as building your "muscle memory" for good file management.
- Process Cleanup Checklist | Use this to quickly identify unnecessary steps and streamline your workflow.
- Quick Wins Playbook | A real guide for identifying and acting on small-but-mighty improvements.
- RACI Framework | Clarify who is doing what, so nothing falls through the cracks (or gets done twice).
- Simple Process Mapping Template | Map your process in three boxes or less. Seriously.
Submit Your Idea
Have an idea to make something work better? We want to hear it. to share improvement ideas, big or small - we'll help you explore next steps.
Contact Us
Dr. Dottie Patten, Special Assistant to the President and Associate Vice President for OE dorothy.patten@csuci.edu | 805-437-8517 | Rush Hall | Office of the President