Modernising research management in higher education
TRANSFORMING OUTDATED TOOLS INTO A MODERN RESEARCH PLATFORM.
The challenge
Our client, a prominent research-intensive Australian university, had chosen Elsevier’s Pure RMS as their new research information management system. The previous research management eco-system within the university consisted of a number of home-grown systems and tools, as well as outdated versions of research and library systems. The university wished to combine library systems to manage research output, research funding applications, approvals and awards; whilst establishing a portal to promote researchers to funding bodies, collaborators and students.
The new research management eco-system was in various states of implementation and the program had effectively stalled when we were called in to help.
How we helped
Commencing with a strategic review of the program, we worked closely with university executives and staff to identify and implement key changes needed to get the project back on track and deliver the expected outcomes, including:
Documenting the strategic outcomes and business needs; ensuring they would be met via the revised program
Re-designing the governance model
Devising an organisational change management (OCM) strategy aimed at rebuilding stakeholder confidence and enhancing stakeholder engagement
Mobilising and refocusing OCM and project delivery resources to ensure initiatives would be delivered to the revised plan
Reviewing existing systems against strategic requirements and revising the overall solution where proposed systems did not meet business requirements.
Conducting extensive end-to-end current and future state business process requirements, involving key stakeholders and subject-matter experts from across the university.
Assessing business readiness, communications and training needs; and developing appropriate strategies and action plans to ensure engagement, capability development and updated business processes were established to embed the changes.
Our structured, collaborative approach to executing this large change program contributed significantly to business outcomes; and established frameworks, strategies and capabilities within the university for the delivery of continued value-driven initiatives.
