Action PlanningAssess, Plan and Perform

Melissa SpearsBusiness Advisory Services

Action Planning is a Plan with Purpose

The Action Plan engagement enables executive leaders at colleges and universities to better

achieve specific institutional goals and objectives by aligning technology with the

institution’s strategic vision.

Reactive Tactical Strategic Transformational

Current State

Goal

TimeTime

Time

Progress in Technology

Implem

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Advancing Technology & Training

Institution Technology & Training Co

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Time

The Process

Assess• Review Strategic Plan

• Web-based Surveys

• Interview Business Unit Leaders

Organize• Identify Business Needs

• Map to Strategic Plan

• Compile Effort/Cost

Prioritize• Potential Impacts

• Cost/Benefits

• Quantification

Implement• Complete Tasks

• Measure Results

Institutional Effectiveness

Analysis

Information Gathering Process

Information Gathering Process

Results, Findings and Recommendations

UNIVERSITY GOALS ELLUCIAN RECOMMENDATIONSATTRACT, ENROLL, RETAIN, AND GRADUATE EVEN MORE HIGHLY COMPETENT UNDERGRADUATE, GRADUATE, AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENTS

PRIORITY 1.3

Strengthen the advising programExtend use of program planning and degree audit to empower advisors and students to access information and evaluate progress toward degree utilizing online tools and services.

PRIORITY 1.6

Expand opportunities for student and family communications

Update configuration of the portal and extend utilization of current system functionality to automate notices and alerts to students.

PRIORITY 1.8

Improve student life, retention, and servicesIncrease self service offerings aimed at engaging students utilizing the portal.

MAINTAIN AND STRENGTHEN THE UNIVERSITY’S ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

PRIORITY 2.3

Develop and implement a comprehensive graduation enhancement program in order to improve retention and graduation rates

Include extended utilization of degree audit, program planning, and student engagement via the portal in the overall graduation enhancement program.

FURTHER ENHANCE AND DEVELOP OUTSTANDING FACILITIES

PRIORITY 4.4

Continue to upgrade technological infrastructure to meet academic and university needs

Upgrade solutions to the latest version allowing for enhanced utilization of functionality and technology advancements and extend system training offerings to better utilize resources. Improve reporting capabilities to provide management and staff access to data for information driven decision making.

Decision Making Criteria

This chart represents the criteria we use when making recommendations.

Everything that we recommend aligns with one of these objectives or it’s not recommended.

We ask…does the solution?•Increase Service•Decrease Cost(s)•Increase Revenue•Increase Productivity

Example: Based on the findings Ellucian recommends the following optimization timeline to support these projects. This timeline is a living, breathing document, and the project manager will work closely with all key stakeholders and leadership to

adjust as necessary to ensure institutional success.

Timeline for Action

Start• Executive Sponsors connect

with Business Advisor• Set dates for assessment

activities

Week 3• Confirm onsite agenda• Launch online survey for

stakeholders

Week 5• Close online survey• Confirm logistics for onsite

visit

Week 7• Conduct onsite discovery

with stakeholders• Meet onsite with Executive

Sponsors

Week 8• Business Advisor contacts

Executive Sponsors to review high level findings

Weeks 9-12• Finalize Action Plan

Recommendations• Confirm date and time for

onsite executive presentation• Onsite executive

presentation• Discussion of next steps for

Action Plan launch

Action Plan Engagement Timeline

“If the Action Planning process had not been adopted by the college, they would

not have been able to handle the increased capacity due to the substantial

enrollment increase.”

Dr. Marion Paden, VP of Enrollment Management

Oklahoma City Community College

Is Action Planning right for your campus?

Does your institution utilize your strategic plan to drive business decisions?

Is technology considered as a primary contributor to achieving institutional strategic initiatives?

How long has it been since you conducted a comprehensive assessment of your administrative systems?

Considering higher education best practices and functionality that exists in your administrative system, would you rate the current level of utilization as low, medium, or high by users?

Q&A Discussion