Olivia Cutler – Organizational Leadership
Project Overview
This project consisted of redesigning and rewriting the BYU-Idaho Presentation Practice Center Employee Handbooks to create one comprehensive resource for current and future employees. The project involved consolidating office procedures, tutoring best practices, secretary responsibilities, workplace expectations, and disciplinary policies into a single, organized booklet that can be used for onboarding, training, and day-to-day reference.
The handbook was developed to provide clear, consistent, and accessible information. Throughout this project, skills such as professional writing, document design, research, critical thinking, editing, and organizational communication were used to transform unorganized information into a cohesive resource that will support current and future employees of the Presentation Practice Center.
The Problem
The existing Presentation Practice Center Employee Handbook contained valuable information, but it was difficult for employees to use effectively. Much of the handbook consisted of dense pages of text with minimal visual organization, making it challenging to quickly locate important information. Employees often had to sift through lengthy paragraphs to find answers to common questions, creating inefficiencies in day-to-day operations.
In addition to readability concerns, portions of the handbook contained outdated information and procedures. Through research and evaluation of current communication and feedback practices, several methods included in the handbook, such as the traditional “sandwich method” of feedback, were found to be outdated or less effective than more current approaches. As a tutor at the Presentation Practice Center, Olivia experienced these challenges firsthand. When information is difficult to find or appears outdated, employees may be less likely to reference the handbook and less confident in the accuracy of the guidance it provides.
These issues highlighted the need for a comprehensive redesign that would improve usability and content and create a reliable resource for employees.
The Process
This project followed a multi-phase process that included research, content evaluation, writing, design, stakeholder feedback, and revision. The project began with a thorough review of the existing employee handbooks to identify opportunities for improvement. During this phase, notes were taken on content organization, readability, visual design, and areas where information appeared outdated or difficult to locate.
To better understand effective handbook design, research was conducted on employee handbook best practices, table of contents structures, and examples from other organizations. Additional research was completed by gathering employee handbooks from multiple BYU–Idaho departments, including BYU–Idaho Mentors, the McKay Library, Academic Success, Advising, and the Study and Life Skills Center. These resources provided insight into how information could be organized and presented more effectively.
The redesign process included extensive content restructuring and rewriting. Information was reorganized into more logical categories, redundant content was condensed, and outdated procedures were reviewed using current research. For example, research on employee feedback methods led to replacing the traditional Sandwich Method with the GROW Model, a more modern coaching framework.
Stakeholder feedback played a significant role throughout the project. Regular meetings were held with project mentor Sister Bean, as well as conversations with current and former Presentation Practice Center employees. Their feedback helped identify areas of confusion, validate design decisions, and ensure that the handbook reflected current office practices.
Once the content had been revised, the focus shifted to visual design. New graphics, infographics, section dividers, a reorganized table of contents, and updated cover designs were created to improve readability and user engagement. The secretary handbook and tutor handbook were also combined into a single comprehensive resource, creating a centralized reference for all employees.
The project concluded with multiple rounds of revision, feedback, and editing before the final handbook was printed and prepared for presentation. In total, more than 60 hours were dedicated to researching, writing, designing, revising, and refining the final product.
Final Deliverable
The redesigned handbook emphasizes readability and accessibility. Large blocks of text were replaced with visual elements, graphics, infographics, and improved page layouts that make information easier to understand and retain. Content was reorganized into logical sections, allowing employees to quickly locate important information without searching through lengthy paragraphs.
In addition to visual improvements, the handbook was thoroughly reviewed and updated to ensure information was current and relevant. Outdated procedures were revised using research-based practices, and content was rewritten to be more concise, practical, and user-focused. The final product includes office policies, tutoring strategies, secretary responsibilities, training materials, disciplinary procedures, dress code expectations, and other essential workplace resources.
The completed handbook transformed a text-heavy document into a modern, professional resource designed to support employee success and improve communication within the Presentation Practice Center.
Reflection
This project reinforced several important lessons about communication, leadership, and professional development. One of the most valuable lessons learned was the importance of seeking feedback throughout a project. Regular input from mentors helped identify areas for improvement, refine ideas, and create a stronger final product than could have been developed.
The role of research in effective decision-making was prominent. Through studying employee handbooks, communication practices, and feedback models, I learned that even long-standing procedures should be evaluated to ensure they remain relevant and effective. Research provided the foundation for many of the changes implemented and increased my confidence in the recommendations made.
Most importantly, this project demonstrated how design can transform the way information is communicated and understood. By improving the visual organization, readability, and accessibility of the handbook, I saw firsthand how thoughtful design can make information more useful and meaningful to its audience.
Above all, this experience reminded me that using my skills and talents to serve others can create a lasting impact. While this project strengthened my abilities in writing, design, research, and organizational communication, its greatest value lies in the people it will serve. The handbook will support future Presentation Practice Center employees as they learn and grow in their roles, and those employees will, in turn, help countless BYU–Idaho students become more confident communicators. Knowing that my work can contribute, even in a small way, to the success of others has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this project.