Introducing...
...the Wellbeing Initiative Design & Evaluation Checklist! Or WIDEC, for short.
A framework for designing, implementing, and evaluating effective and sustainable systems-informed wellbeing initiatives.
A framework for designing, implementing, and evaluating effective and sustainable systems-informed wellbeing initiatives.
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What is it?
Are you working to foster or impact wellbeing in your organization or community? This guide introduces a Checklist to help leaders and professionals navigate the complexities of designing, implementing, and evaluating systems-informed wellbeing initiatives effectively and sustainably.
Why use this Checklist?
It's an evidence-based compilation of the tested strategies and practices from different fields. It's a tool to bring everyone on the same page, fill knowledge gaps, and add depth to your planning process.
Is it for you?
This Checklist is for the Chief Wellbeing Officers, the Deans of Wellbeing, and Directors of Community Wellbeing, among so many others pioneering work in wellbeing. In other words, if you're involved in creating, implementing, or evaluating wellbeing initiatives – be it as a program designer, director, policymaker, researcher, or evaluator doing work in organizations, educational institutions, or communities – this Checklist is for you.
What is a systems-informed wellbeing initiative?
It is any initiative that is designed to impact wellbeing (or a component of wellbeing) that is being conducted at scale as part of, and informed by, a broader system.
Breaking this down:
- "Initiatives" can refer to programs, activities, policies, or interventions. It might be a single project or the continuous efforts of an entire department.
- "Wellbeing" or "components of wellbeing" will be defined by the initiative to reflect their values and needs. It could encompass thriving, flourishing, and such topics as
increasing connections, helping people understand their strengths, or fostering a sense of belonging.
- "Broader systems" are the larger environments or communities an initiative is part of, such as schools, nonprofits, corporations, or cities.
- “Systems informed” involves being mindful of how the initiative and the individuals involved are part of a complex social system that can be impacted by and can inform the initiative. It encompasses addressing broader systemic changes (such as cultural shifts, structural adjustments, or policy reforms), or accounting for how systemic and cultural factors shape changes at the individual and group levels.
How is the Checklist structured?
It is structured based on the six stages of a planned change process (as pictured above).
How was the Checklist made?
Developed by myself, Jaclyn Gaffaney, MAPP, PhD, in 2024 for my dissertation, this Checklist is backed by rigorous research, expert interviews, and best practices across diverse disciplines. To enhance the document’s generalizability across organizations, communities, and education, I acquired insights from experts across cultures and various fields, including psychology, education, public policy, and public health. Given that I am based in the United States and specialize in positive psychology, organizational psychology, and evaluation, this document may still reflect Western and organizational biases. This document is intended to be iterative with updated versions published over time.
Can I have help with the Checklist?
I offer consulting services to help implement the Checklist. For more directions on how to use the Checklist, aid in implementing the Checklist, or questions about the Checklist, please contact me, Jaclyn Gaffaney at [email protected] or [email protected].
Citation for the Checklist
Gaffaney, J. (2024). Wellbeing Initiative Design & Evaluation Checklist (WIDEC).
http://www.jgaffaney.com/checklist.html
Are you working to foster or impact wellbeing in your organization or community? This guide introduces a Checklist to help leaders and professionals navigate the complexities of designing, implementing, and evaluating systems-informed wellbeing initiatives effectively and sustainably.
Why use this Checklist?
It's an evidence-based compilation of the tested strategies and practices from different fields. It's a tool to bring everyone on the same page, fill knowledge gaps, and add depth to your planning process.
Is it for you?
This Checklist is for the Chief Wellbeing Officers, the Deans of Wellbeing, and Directors of Community Wellbeing, among so many others pioneering work in wellbeing. In other words, if you're involved in creating, implementing, or evaluating wellbeing initiatives – be it as a program designer, director, policymaker, researcher, or evaluator doing work in organizations, educational institutions, or communities – this Checklist is for you.
What is a systems-informed wellbeing initiative?
It is any initiative that is designed to impact wellbeing (or a component of wellbeing) that is being conducted at scale as part of, and informed by, a broader system.
Breaking this down:
- "Initiatives" can refer to programs, activities, policies, or interventions. It might be a single project or the continuous efforts of an entire department.
- "Wellbeing" or "components of wellbeing" will be defined by the initiative to reflect their values and needs. It could encompass thriving, flourishing, and such topics as
increasing connections, helping people understand their strengths, or fostering a sense of belonging.
- "Broader systems" are the larger environments or communities an initiative is part of, such as schools, nonprofits, corporations, or cities.
- “Systems informed” involves being mindful of how the initiative and the individuals involved are part of a complex social system that can be impacted by and can inform the initiative. It encompasses addressing broader systemic changes (such as cultural shifts, structural adjustments, or policy reforms), or accounting for how systemic and cultural factors shape changes at the individual and group levels.
How is the Checklist structured?
It is structured based on the six stages of a planned change process (as pictured above).
How was the Checklist made?
Developed by myself, Jaclyn Gaffaney, MAPP, PhD, in 2024 for my dissertation, this Checklist is backed by rigorous research, expert interviews, and best practices across diverse disciplines. To enhance the document’s generalizability across organizations, communities, and education, I acquired insights from experts across cultures and various fields, including psychology, education, public policy, and public health. Given that I am based in the United States and specialize in positive psychology, organizational psychology, and evaluation, this document may still reflect Western and organizational biases. This document is intended to be iterative with updated versions published over time.
Can I have help with the Checklist?
I offer consulting services to help implement the Checklist. For more directions on how to use the Checklist, aid in implementing the Checklist, or questions about the Checklist, please contact me, Jaclyn Gaffaney at [email protected] or [email protected].
Citation for the Checklist
Gaffaney, J. (2024). Wellbeing Initiative Design & Evaluation Checklist (WIDEC).
http://www.jgaffaney.com/checklist.html
Dissertation |
Want to read the dissertation that was the backbone of the Checklist?
You are welcome to review the full dissertation or see the overview presentation deck. Here is the official link to the dissertation on proquest.
Interested in having me present? Or build upon my research?
I am seeking to disseminate these findings widely across fields and disciplines in academia and in practice. If you know of a conference, network, or group of people that may be interested in learning more - or if you would like to build on this research - please contact me, Jaclyn Gaffaney at [email protected] or [email protected].
Citation for the Dissertation
Gaffaney, J. (2024). A Checklist to Design and Evaluate Systems-Informed Wellbeing Initiatives: A Mixed Methods Validation Study (Order No. 31234773). Available from Dissertations & Theses @ Claremont University Consortium; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (3058534916). http://ccl.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/checklist-design-evaluate-systems-informed/docview/3058534916/se-2
Distinction
I’m honored to have received Claremont Graduate University’s 2024 Arthur H. Brayfield Dissertation Award for this work. “This award is presented to one graduating doctoral student who has completed an exceptional dissertation that moves science and/or practice forward.”
You are welcome to review the full dissertation or see the overview presentation deck. Here is the official link to the dissertation on proquest.
Interested in having me present? Or build upon my research?
I am seeking to disseminate these findings widely across fields and disciplines in academia and in practice. If you know of a conference, network, or group of people that may be interested in learning more - or if you would like to build on this research - please contact me, Jaclyn Gaffaney at [email protected] or [email protected].
Citation for the Dissertation
Gaffaney, J. (2024). A Checklist to Design and Evaluate Systems-Informed Wellbeing Initiatives: A Mixed Methods Validation Study (Order No. 31234773). Available from Dissertations & Theses @ Claremont University Consortium; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (3058534916). http://ccl.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/checklist-design-evaluate-systems-informed/docview/3058534916/se-2
Distinction
I’m honored to have received Claremont Graduate University’s 2024 Arthur H. Brayfield Dissertation Award for this work. “This award is presented to one graduating doctoral student who has completed an exceptional dissertation that moves science and/or practice forward.”
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