The Calgary-Haskayne Adaptive Research Tracker, or CHART, offers what Haskayne leaders describe as a transparent, data-informed alternative to traditional ranking systems. Developed in collaboration with UCalgary\u2019s Office of Institutional Analysis and the Office of the Vice-President Research, the tool is freely available and draws on publicly accessible data.<\/p>\n
CHART includes two distinct components to provide exceptional value to Canadian business schools. CHART-Index is a fixed ranking that gives Canadian business schools a shared reference point based on publicly available data and a reproducible methodology. CHART-IF is a unique flexible module that allows users to explore \u201cwhat if\u201d scenarios to help inform strategic planning.<\/p>\n
Dr. Gina Grandy, dean of the Haskayne School of Business, explains that the idea for CHART grew out of Haskayne\u2019s goal to become one of Canada\u2019s top five business schools for research. As the school began benchmarking its performance, Grandy says the process revealed challenges with some existing ranking systems, including reliance on reputation surveys, limited metrics and methods that are not fully transparent.<\/p>\n
\u201cRankings can play an important role in shaping reputation and strategy,\u201d says Grandy. \u201cBut institutions also need clear information that helps them understand what is being measured and why. Rather than simply accepting rankings as they are, this tool helps schools see what is driving performance, where they are gaining momentum and where strategic investment could make a meaningful difference.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Developed in consultation with senior leaders from Canada\u2019s top 15 business schools, the index includes 28 Canadian business schools and uses a publicly available methodology.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith CHART, we have an opportunity to contribute something useful to Canadian business schools,” says Grandy. “Our goal is to offer a more meaningful, transparent and multidimensional view of research performance that better reflects the full scope of scholarly excellence and impact.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
What existing rankings miss\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFor schools trying to strengthen their research performance, it\u2019s not enough to know where you rank,\u201d says Dr. Sandy Hershcovis, senior associate dean of research at Haskayne. \u201cYou also need to understand what is contributing to that ranking and what kinds of changes could make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hershcovis says reputation surveys are a major component of several global rankings, which can make it difficult to know whether a ranking reflects research performance or broader perceptions of a school. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cReputation may be a product of great marketing while having little basis in reality,\u201d says Hershcovis. \u201cThis tool gives us objective data to understand actual research performance.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A flexible tool for research strategy\u00a0<\/p>\n
In addition to the fixed CHART-Index ranking, the flexible CHART-IF module is already causing a buzz among Canadian business schools.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe CHART-IF is the most valuable part of this tool,\u201d says Hershcovis, who presented a prototype of the tool at a conference of business school deans earlier this year. \u201cIt allows users to estimate the outcomes of different investments and decisions so schools can make data-informed plans that advance their research success.\u201d<\/p>\n
For example, a user could ask what would be required to move up one position in the ranking. CHART-IF can then identify multiple possible pathways, helping institutions understand where strategic investments or improvements may have the greatest impact.<\/p>\n
Grandy says the flexible module reflects Haskayne\u2019s broader commitment to using evidence to guide strategy.<\/p>\n