Figure 6 Figure 7 Finally, Figure 8 shows that TIS support was associated with the chances of projects being reasonable or excellent. Our review of 259 files of experience, and the results presented here, have confirmed to us many principles that are known intuitively, but which can be difficult for a university program, such as the Technical Assistance Program, to carry out in practice. TAP seems to have enhanced the management practices of a large percentage of its clients over a decade, and we have attempted in this review to present the results of our study of that experience. We hope that our decade of documented experience will be helpful to higher education in other states. First, client and site visits enhance success.
Travel is time consuming, and thus difficult for faculty and graduate students.
For TAP, this problem has been resolved in large part by our ability to use the Purdue aircraft fleet when it is available. Second, the number of hours worked on the management projects, and use of challenging, strongly-written letters and reports enhanced success. Timely and quality feedback to clients also has recognized as a positive contributor to project success the need for a technologically-able and willing TAP headquarters staff to make that happen. Third, client commitment to TAP's involvement to a given project greatly enhances the chances of ultimate success. Those indicators can be used to ensure that assistance is being devoted to the most worthwhile projects.