About

Tim Waldo

Intrigued by systems thinking; convinced that jobs have the power to change lives; excited to help improve workplaces.

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Helping Organizations Focus on Their Internal Workforce Development Systems.

The OPDS Framework

The Optimized People Development System framework is a management approach that helps organizations assess and improve the processes they use to find, train, and retain people. A PDS consists of five functional areas – training, recruiting, onboarding, retention, and performance management. The challenge is to operate a reliable PDS that provides the organization with a competitive advantage in a volatile labor market.

To make the system visible, we use the Talent Stream Map. Inspired by the Value Stream Map used in Lean Manufacturing, the TSM creates a visual guide of all the components necessary to find, train, and retain the people that help an organization meet its strategic goals, with the goal of analyzing and optimizing the entire process.

The OPDS framework relies on three guiding principles, systems thinking to make this complex system visible, lean thinking to minimize waste and improve efficiency, and learning organization concepts to drive engagement and a culture of learning. Here’s a post to help explain it.

My Journey

I have experienced the stress and frustration employers face when it comes to finding and developing talent. I know there are many factors that they cannot control. So, I help them focus on the things they can control – the system they use to find, train, and retain talent. I call this their People Development System (PDS). As a Workforce Consultant with the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services I help them assess their processes for optimal performance and help to instill a continuous improvement approach to managing the PDS.

I earned my BSBA from Tusculum College and from the University of Tennessee, a master’s degree in Educational Psychology focused on adult education.

Areas of Focus

Career Experience

Workforce Consultant

University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services (2017 – Present)

Leading UT-CIS efforts to develop and implement a sustainable and innovative workforce development strategy; developing programs and services to meet TN employers’ workforce needs; delivering consulting and training services to help TN employers improve workforce performance; coordinating efforts with workforce partners and resources in Tennessee and across the US.

Director of Workforce Development

Knoxville Leadership Foundation (2013 – 2017)

Developing and leading broad-based, workforce development efforts aimed at empowering individuals, reducing unemployment, and increasing economic vitality within the city and county.

Multiple Positions

Bailey International(1996 – 2013)

Responsibilities varied in my roles as Plant manager, Marketing Director, Customer Service Director, and Technical Services Director.