The HE data and information landscape –making it happen (painlessly ?!?)

Andy Youell Director of Standards and DevelopmentARC 2012-11-12

Agenda

• Background• Issues for RPG and the data processors• Issues for institutions• The end bit…

Agenda

• Background• Issues for RPG and the data processors• Issues for institutions• The end bit…

RPG - Project B

• White paper: A new system that:– Meets the needs of a wider group of users– Reduces duplication– Results in timelier and more relevant data

• Feasibility and impact analysis - Roadmap for future development

• Reported to RPG June 2012• Recommendations were accepted

Agenda

• Background• Issues for RPG and the data processors• Issues for institutions• The end bit…

HEBRG survey of data collection

Issues – data collectors/processors

• Very broad range of organisations, collecting and processing data for many different purposes

• Low awareness of what each other is collecting• Inconsistent definitions and terminology• Patchy approach to data standards adoption• No holistic view of the system• No mechanism or forum to bring these bodies

together

Recommendations to RPG

• Governance for data and information exchange across the sector

• Development of a common data language– Data model, lexicon, thesaurus

• Inventory of data collections• Specific data standards work– JACS– Unique Learner Number

1. Governance framework

• Co-regulation - sector-level data processors and HE providers

• Collaboration: standardisation and sharing• Challenge process (and visibility)• Scope– UK dimension– Non-HE bodies

• How to achieve (and maintain) buy-in from stakeholders?

2. Data model, lexicon and thesaurus

• Review of existing collections/definitions – the as is• Better understanding of differences/similarities

– In definitions– In terminology

• Coming from both angles:– What are collectors asking for? – What are institutions supplying?

• To inform future standardisation and data sharing discussion• Deliverables:

– Data model, lexicon and thesaurus– Maintenance plan

3. Inventory of data collections

• HEBRG survey identified 550 lines of reporting• Very little detail (width)• Is it complete? (length)• We need a solid understanding of the current burden– To help HEIs become more joined up in their reporting– To challenge data collectors to reduce duplication

• Deliverables:– Database of collections– Maintenance plan

4a JACS development

• Problems:– JACS could have far broader use– Current structure has run out of space

• Analysis of requirements• Exploration of coding options• Deliverable:– Road map for future development

4b ULN implementation

• ULN widely accepted as a Good Thing– Reducing burden by replacing existing IDs– Adding value and reducing burden through better data

linking/sharing

• What are the real barriers to adoption?• What would it take to resolve these issues?• Deliverable– An assessment of where we currently are with ULN– Commitment to a roadmap?

Agenda

• Background• Issues for RPG and the data processors• Issues for institutions• The end bit…

Findings – HE providers

• Few HE providers have a complete picture of their data reporting requirements

• Uncoordinated responses to (uncoordinated) requests for data

• Some weaknesses in data management/governance

Diamond: Process improvement, simplification and standardisation is key to unlocking the value of shared

services

Agenda

• Background• Issues for RPG and the data processors• Issues for institutions• The end bit…

Painless….?

• If this was easy, it would have happened a long time ago

• Not a “clean-sheet” exercise• Seize the moment:– Technologies and standards– Change– Political will and profile

Any questions?

Discussion

• How, if at all, could an information governance process work at a sector level?– Scope– Function– Power/authority

• What are the barriers to improving quality and efficiency in HEI data– Does it matter that concepts, processes and lexicon differ

within, and between, institutions?– Conflict between standardisation and autonomy?

The HE data and information landscape –making it happen (painlessly ?!?)

Andy Youell Director of Standards and DevelopmentARC 2012-11-12