A digital transformation framework: part one

Key takeaways

Institutions should think about ‘simplification’ when it comes to digitising their processes
Identify areas in which efficiencies can be gained and this will help deliver the greatest impact and value more rapidly
Now is the time to reassess your digital strategy and determine which capabilities, services and processes can be simplified

Making a series of changes to operational models can revolutionise an institution’s value, strategic direction and processes. In this two-part series, Ellucian’s Vice President of Digital Transformation, Richard Forrest, provides a thorough analysis about how to deliver rapid value to higher education institutions where they need it most.

Right now, higher education is at a critical turning point. Digital transformation was a line item on many agendas before COVID-19, but with the urgent shift to remote learning and online institutional processes, we’re witnessing change at an unprecedented level.

Central departments are pressuring their institutions to change any internal processes that rely on physical interactions. For example, grading and admissions operations, that once relied on human interaction and a physical paper trail, now need to work in more agile ways to overcome current and future challenges.

Three core pillars

Moving forward, we need to consider how institutions can build stronger and more sustainable foundations to continue delivering quality student experiences remotely. Ellucian offers a new approach to help institutions prepare for future scenarios. Our digital transformation framework, guided by a business capability approach, focuses on three core pillars.

Simplification: simplify and standardise complex operations
Speed: accelerate impact and value
Agility and innovation: create a culture of continuous innovation

Many institutions are reassessing and reprioritising their strategies, with a special focus on how they can strengthen business resilience and continuity. Undergoing digital transformation faster than the previous five- or ten-year plan is more critical than ever.

Focus on simplification

Here’s a different way of looking at digital transformation: rather than focusing on the ‘transformation’, institutions need to think about ‘simplification’ when it comes to digitising their processes.

All too often in transformation projects, the instinct is to invest in technology to change an enterprise. If an institution is operating in silos—whether it’s across campuses, departments or lines of business—this migration becomes even more complex.

For example, it is common to see different departments implement their own processes and use different CRM systems; all too often we see as much as five or six different CRM systems in use at one institution. If the institution needs to update the software or make institutional changes rapidly, these changes will need to be replicated multiple times. This not only takes up considerable time and resources, but also makes it increasingly difficult for institutions to remain agile.

Find a starting point

From our experience, a more beneficial starting point is to assess your overall processes and find ways to simplify. Take a step back and think about what processes and services can be adjusted; you’ll find that there are many processes, practices and systems across multiple departments and campuses all doing the same thing. By simplifying, you can then map the technology and applications to deliver change.

Having joined Ellucian from Oxford Brookes University, Solutions Consultant Iain Sloane can certainly see the value in taking a business capability approach.

Aligning business capabilities with strategic objectives provides transparent and informed prioritisation, delivering increased long-term value. Recruitment has always been a focus of my career in higher education, and it’s been an area where complexity has been prevalent. I’ve seen recruitment teams working to different priorities using varying processes and tools. With a business capacity model, we can combine these silos to deliver on institutional objectives, such as increased student numbers.

Now is the time to reassess your digital strategy and determine which capabilities, services and processes can be simplified. By targeting areas in which efficiencies can be gained, you will help your institution create greater impact and value faster than imagined.

Ellucian's digital transformation framework offers:

Expedite transformation – reduced consultancy and staff time
Reduce risk with industry best practice – driven by standardisation and simplification
Reduce impact on budgets – spread costs over the life of your implementation