Evaluation in general
General information on evaluations, the principles and process
Hervorragende Leistungen in Forschung und Lehre unterstützt von effizienten und transparenten Management- und Supportprozessen – diese Ansprüche sind in den strategischen Zielen des Entwicklungsplans der TU Wien verankert. Um diese Ziele zu erreichen, werden universitätsweit vielfältige Instrumente und Verfahren des Qualitätsmanagements erfolgreich angewandt, deren Grundsätze in der Qualitätsstrategie verankert sind:
- High-quality services are provided by excellently trained and committed staff and students.
- High quality services are based on transparent and effective processes.
- High-quality services are promoted through the effective and efficient use of resources.
According to § 14 Universities Act 2002 (UG), the Vienna University of Technology (TU Vienna) has to establish a quality management system for quality and performance assurance and to carry out evaluations on an ongoing basis. The internal evaluation of the university comprises the following levels:
- Scientific staff via the evaluation of the research areas or research groups (smallest structural element).
- Organisational units - faculties, institutes and central divisions.
- Studies and courses (these evaluations are supervised by the department E060 - Centre for Strategic Teaching Development).
The framework for evaluations at TU Vienna was established in January 2022, details of which can be found in the documents Guidelines and Regulations (see below).
Pilot evaluation projects have been running since July 2022. An extension of the evaluations to all areas of the university is expected in the coming years.
The current status of the implementation of evaluations at TU Wien is:
- Evaluation of Faculties: Pilot Evaluation ETIT 2022/2023
- Evaluation of Scientific Staff: Pilot Evaluation TCH 2022/2023
- Evaluation of Central divisions: Pilot Evaluation Finance 2023/2024
Following the approved principles, the evaluation section of the Regulations was fundamentally revised and expanded in accordance with international standards. In a participatory process, the evaluation objects "smallest structural element", "faculty", "institute" and "central division" were determined and the performance areas to be considered were defined. The focus of the performance areas to be evaluated at faculty level is research and teaching, but also contributions to society, 3rd mission and contributions to processes of the TU Wien as well as management and social skills are to be taken into account. The form in which this will be the case is the subject of internal faculty discussions. The evaluation of the central divisions focuses on their specific processes and their interaction with the faculties and the other central divisions of the TU Wien.
| Evaluation period | Performance areas | Evaluators | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Faculties | 7 Years | Teaching Research Society / 3rd Mission Contributions to processes of the TU Wien and Management / Social skills | Extern evaluators | Pilot evaluation 2022/2023 |
| Scientific staff | 5 Years | Teaching Research Society / 3rd Mission Contributions to processes of the TU Wien and Management / Social skills | Evaluation Board
| Pilot evaluation 2022/2023 |
Central divisions | 7 Years | Quality Efficiency Contributions to strategy of the TU Wien Cooperation | Evaluators | Pilot evaluation 2023/2024 |
Institutes | The evaluation of institutes is a special case that is implemented exclusively on an occasion-related basis | Relevant evaluation criteria are determined by the dean with the involvement of the faculty council | Extern Evaluators | In preparation Pilot evaluation on an ad hoc basis |
The overarching goal of any evaluation is the continuous reflection and improvement of the quality of TU Wien's services. TU Wien is required to establish an internal quality management system that continuously evaluates the tasks and the entire range of services of the university internally.
The evaluation leads step by step to the following outcomes: self-report, report of the evaluators, statement, conclusion of activities.
- Self-evaluation report - An analysis of the past years prepared by the evaluation object. The report is based on available data and self-reflection and includes an overview of strengths and areas for improvement. It provides a basic framework for future planning and development.
- Evaluators' report - Analysis of the evaluation object from the perspective of internal and/or external experts. Builds on the basis of the self-evaluation report and the on-site visit. Contains a reflection on the self-evaluation and recommendations for further development.
- Statement on the evaluators' report - The evaluation object's statement on the results and recommendations received. Contains proposals for changes that take into account the results of the evaluation.
- Derivation of measures - Determination of actions that serve further development and quality improvement.
The general evaluation processes are outlined below. There is always a cycle consisting of a preparation and data collection phase, the preparation of a self-evaluation report, the evaluation by the evaluators and the incorporation of recommendations.
Evaluation documentation
Evaluation regulations - Basic principles and rules for evaluations at TU Wien. (In German)