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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 91°µÍř˝űÇř Office of Institutional Analysis and the , the tool is freely available and draws on publicly accessible data.

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 “what if” scenarios to help inform strategic planning.

, PhD, dean of the , explains that the idea for CHART grew out of Haskayne’s goal to become one of Canada’s 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.

“Rankings can play an important role in shaping reputation and strategy,” says Grandy. “But 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.” 

Developed in consultation with senior leaders from Canada’s top 15 business schools, the index includes 28 Canadian business schools and uses a publicly available methodology.

“With 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.” 

What existing rankings miss 

“For schools trying to strengthen their research performance, it’s not enough to know where you rank,” says , BComm'01, PhD, senior associate dean of research at Haskayne. “You also need to understand what is contributing to that ranking and what kinds of changes could make a difference.”

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.  

“Reputation may be a product of great marketing while having little basis in reality,” says Hershcovis. “This tool gives us objective data to understand actual research performance.” 

A flexible tool for research strategy 

In addition to the fixed CHART-Index ranking, the flexible CHART-IF module is already causing a buzz among Canadian business schools.

“The CHART-IF is the most valuable part of this tool,” says Hershcovis, who presented a prototype of the tool at a conference of business school deans earlier this year. “It allows users to estimate the outcomes of different investments and decisions so schools can make data-informed plans that advance their research success.”

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.

Grandy says the flexible module reflects Haskayne’s broader commitment to using evidence to guide strategy.

More information about CHART methodology and functionality, along with access to the tool, is available .