The Data Efficiency Project

Andy YouellDirector of Quality and Development, HESA

Richard PuttockHead of Data and Management Information, HEFCE

SROC Bradford 2009-04-07

The Data Efficiency Project

• Funded by HEFCE, SFC, HEFCW, TDA and HESA

• Undertaken by PriceWaterhouseCoopers

• Report published on HEFCE web-site (Circular letter 28/2008)

Objectives

• To understand the data-related burdens and operational barriers that arise in institutions in delivering the HESA Staff and Student returns;

• To identify and/or develop improvements to the existing process;

• To produce a Road Map to implement the improvements identified; and

• [To gather data on the nature of the additional burdens involved in data returns for Atypical staff]

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Key findings (1)

• Good HEI engagement

• Similar processes, different systems

• Agreed good practice

• Patchy existence of good practice

Key findings (2)

• Good practice is generally in HEIs hands

• Numerous opportunities for better practice

• Better practice is generally in sponsoring agencies' hands

Sources of burden - student data (1)

• Adapting to changes in the collection requirements

• Correcting errors in the original data

• Waiting for/correcting errors in the *J file

• Meeting the return deadline within resource constraints

Sources of burden - student data (2)

• Entering the data into the system at the start of the process

• Overcoming resistance to the process from colleagues

• Aligning new IT systems with the return requirements in order to meet the deadline

Sources of burden - student data (3)

• Obtaining correct data from students during the process

• Training new staff in time to meet the return deadline

• Aligning HEI data structures with the HESA data structures

Good practice (1)

• Governance and culture– Senior ownership of data– Understanding data usage

• People– Data team personnel

• Technology– Technology assessment– Live quality assurance

Good practice (2)

• Process– Timely quality checking– Managing change– Supporting documentation– HESA protocol

• Data– Single data view

Next steps

• Implementation group

• Possible quick wins

Implementation group

• Chair – Nigel Thrift, VC Warwick

• Members – – SROC– ARC – Others - AHUA, AUA planners forum, UPA,

UCISA, JISC, HESA, funding bodies

• Schedule

Possible quick wins

• Star J and UCAS liaison (A04 & A19)

• Stability of student returns (A02)

• Clarifying why “we” want data (A06)

• Integration of HEFCE web-facility (A13)

Finding the report

• www.hefce.ac.uk– Publications

•Research and Evaluation– 2008

• Or http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/rdreports/2008/rd19_08/