Scheme design checklist

What should you consider before setting up your scheme?

• Why are you setting up a scheme (what are the drivers)?
• What is the strategic purpose of the scheme (in the long term what does the organisation wish to achieve)?
• What are the tactical objectives of the scheme (what will the participants gain)?
• Who is the scheme aimed at (who will be the mentors and who will be the mentees)?
• What will be the eligibility criteria for mentors and mentees?
• What is your overall process flow in terms of accepting applicants, matching, offering and confirming partnerships, training/briefing, support, monitoring, evaluation/feedback and closing partnerships?
• What will your timescales be (will you have a rolling scheme and accept applications at any time, or will you run on a cyclical basis)?
• What documentation will you produce (web content, guidance notes, handbooks etc)?
• How will you publicise and promote the scheme?
• What information will you need from applicants in order to manage the process, make good matches, and monitor progress?
• How will you manage the application process?
• Who will do the matching?
• How will you communicate with your members?
• What briefing or training will you provide for mentors and mentees (such as social networking, helpline, expert mentor and other resources)?
• What will you do to promote a sense of community across your scheme membership?
• How will you monitor the progress and success of mentoring partnerships and your scheme in general?
• How will you ensure that partnerships are concluded and do not drift?
• How will you evaluate the effectiveness of your scheme, both in terms of scheme design/management (such as administration, support, matching process, training and documentation) and outcomes for participants ( did they achieve their objectives, what other benefits did they derive)?