Moving Work Forward: Learning Lab

Professional Development Session 2

Work in the PSO environment often slows down not because of lack of effort, but because something critical is unclear, whether it’s ownership, decision authority, scope, or next steps. This interactive case sprint session gives participants practice diagnosing and resolving common PSO workflow challenges. Participants will work in small groups through a series of realistic, UGA-based scenarios such as stalled approvals, scope creep requests, unresponsive partners, and last-minute escalations. In each round, teams will identify what is causing the work to stall and apply a practical tool to move it forward, such as clarifying questions, decision mapping, writing a clear and actionable ask, setting boundaries, or closing the loop. Each case requires participants to produce a tangible output (e.g., a drafted message, a quick decision map, or a defined next step), reinforcing real-world application. The session emphasizes practical strategies that can be immediately applied to improve collaboration, reduce delays, and move work to completion within PSO workflows.

Learning outcomes:

Diagnose why work is stalled by identifying missing elements such as ownership, decision authority, scope, timeline, or constraints
Apply structured tools and communication strategies to move work forward efficiently in PSO contexts
Draft clear, actionable messages that reduce ambiguity, support timely decisions, and ensure follow-through

Speakers:

Jeffrey Burke, Public Service Faculty, Archway Partnership

Born and raised in Wrens, Georgia, Burke holds a bachelor’s in political science and a master’s in public administration, both from Valdosta State University, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in public administration from the same institution. He serves as the Archway Professional for the Archway Partnership community of Newton County. Prior to his current role, Burke spent 12 years with UGA Extension and Georgia 4-H.

Jason Estep, Public Service Faculty, J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development

A member of the institute’s youth programs team, Estep facilitates groups across the state to strengthen leadership at every level. He draws on his background as an attorney and educator to create spaces where people feel empowered and ready to act. Before coming to UGA, Estep served Georgia 4-H as the state specialist for leadership and civic engagement, responsible for planning, facilitating, and evaluating dynamic educational programs for youth ages 9-19. Before working in youth development, Estep practiced law with large firms in Atlanta and Washington, D.C.

View session options

Session 1

Session 2

back to conference