Each of SIG’s offerings is a customizable, structured solution. That is, although each service is based upon a proven methodology, SIG adapts its efforts to the particular needs of each client. As a result, SIG has a long track record of projects that are successful, on time, and within budget.

Development of Institutional Plans for Information Technology

SIG offers a structured solution that helps colleges and universities develop institutional plans for information technology. The goal is to ensure that there are clear strategies, concrete objectives, and a roadmap for success.

It is important for colleges and universities to have thoughtful game plans for the use of information technology. Pursuing a proper direction helps institutions address a variety of challenges:

• Providing the best possible services to students, faculty, and staff
• Advancing the institution’s mission of teaching, learning, research, and service
• Identifying projects and establishing priorities
• Understanding opportunities within particular departments and across the institution
• Minimizing costs and making worthwhile investments
• Streamlining operations and improving efficiency
• Ensuring the reliability, performance, security, and manageability of enterprise (ERP) systems
• Anticipating major opportunities and challenges
• Enhancing the institution’s competitiveness
• Simplifying access to important information, data, and electronic repositories
• Providing responsive technical support
• Keeping pace with technological advancements
• Understanding the best approaches to governance, project management, funding, expense control, organizational development, vendor partnership, and performance assessment

SIG’s assistance with institutional planning helps colleges and universities gain perspective, overcome obstacles, and feel a genuine sense of confidence. Strategic directions come into focus; achievable goals become apparent.

One of the most important aspects of SIG’s structured solution is that the resulting institutional plan is actionable. The goal is to have clearly defined deliverables, timelines, and steps to success.

Perhaps the most remarkable characteristic about SIG’s services is the extraordinary talent and experience of its people. Their expertise is broad and deep. All of the consultants have served for many years in leadership positions (e.g., registrars, controllers, financial aid directors, chief information officers) within colleges and universities. And, their technical skills are substantial.

Although each planning process is somewhat different, most of SIG’s engagements usually involve the following components:

• Identification of institutional sponsors for the development of the plan
• Structured interviews with selected students, faculty, staff, and organizations
• Institutional surveys that collect important data and measure current levels of performance
• Workshops that help identify key issues, drivers, needs, opportunities, and requirements
• Objective assessments of existing infrastructures, applications, business functions, processes, services, etc.
• Reviews of related plans, accreditation reports, budgets, organizational structures, etc.
• Synthesis and presentation of assessment information
• Discussion of best practices
• Development of a planning document format
• Development of a draft plan
• Completion and adoption of the final plan

SIG is vendor neutral. It does not sell hardware or software. It does not promote products or services from any particular company. SIG’s staff, though, has deep expertise in almost all enterprise technologies within the higher education marketplace.

Please let us know how SIG can help you with your institutional planning needs. We are pleased to offer assistance.