SDP Cohort 18 Orientation

OVERVIEW
This hands-on session will guide you in crafting clear, compelling problem statements that anchor impactful, data-driven projects. Through case studies, guided curiosity practices, and collaborative activities, you will examine pitfalls in problem definition, use data to articulate their current state, and envision meaningful change. You’ll practice refining problem statements, challenge core assumptions, and synthesize your insights into a logic model that connects problems to actionable solutions.

MATERIALS
See attachments below.

BEFORE THE SESSION 

1. Read the article, Curiosity: The Gateway Competency. (Attached Below)
2. Revisit the problem statement from your agency’s SDP Fellowship application. Submit an updated problem statement per unique fellow project here. Please submit by 10/22. 
3. If you wish to reference your application submission and do not have access to an internal copy, please email Sarah Blake ([email protected]). 

During lunch, Supervisors will meet with Rebecca Marshall in GCC Room 3 for an overview of key supervisor supports and action items for the SDP fellowship experience.

Fellows and guests will have access to our meeting rooms (GCC 4 & 5) for lunch. 

OVERVIEW
In this session, we will learn about some of the theory and frameworks behind relationship-building, identify your projects' interested parties and individuals, and analyze the roles they might play in the success of your project. At the end of the session, fellows and their supervisors will walk away with the start of a customized, actionable stakeholder engagement plan.

MATERIALS
See attached readings.

Supplemental:

• Blog Post: Erika Larsen Feature
  https://sdp.cepr.harvard.edu/blog/2025/01/leveraging-data-foster-family-engagement
• Erika Larsen Impact Story (see attached)

PRE-WORK / BEFORE THE SESSION
Please read “Friend, Foe, Ally, Adversary…Or Something Else?”

As you read: Reflect on each of the mistakes identified in the reading. Try to think of an example from your work life for at least two. How did a relationship misclassification impact you, your work, and/or your team?

Consider the project your organization will undertake for the fellowship. Begin to think broadly about those who will be engaged in, impacted by, or decision makers for the work. How would you start to classify them?

OVERVIEW
In this closing session, we’ll reflect on the powerful insights and practical strategies developed throughout our time together—spanning data leadership, system quality, analytical inquiry, problem definition, and effective communication. Participants will reflect on key takeaways, celebrate progress, and set intentions for implementing new practices in their own education contexts. We’ll revisit our shared purpose of driving meaningful improvement through strategic, actionable, and ethical data use. Leave inspired and equipped to champion data-driven change in your institution—no pre-work required, just your insights and commitment moving forward.

Following this session supervisors will depart.


MATERIALS
None

PRE-WORK 
None

OVERVIEW
In this session, we kick off the second half of Orientation by focusing on what it means to be a Strategic Data Project fellow. We will hear from some alumni and current fellows about "Making the Most" of their time and experience as a member of this network and community.

This session will dive into the elements and deliverables of your Strategic Data Project, including key dates and timelines for planning your work. The Year 1 workshop series will be explored, and you'll start to map a vision for what's next in your learning journey at SDP.

PRE-WORK 
None

MATERIALS
None