The Roadmap Project (aka The University Project!)

A best practice is a method or technique consistently showing results superior to those achieved with other means.

One of the critical best practices for a successful higher education enterprise system project is when the project is not just an information technology project, but is a University project. 

This means not only is there a perception it is a University project, but there is the reality of it being a University project.

The fact that the Boise State Roadmap Project will impact and touch all students, faculty, and staff at some point during and after the project certainly gives the appearance of a University project.  If it were just the Office of Information Technology leading, managing and implementing systems, however, it would not truly be a University project.

For a true University project, leadership, planning, management and implementation responsibilities must be shared between the information technology department (OIT) and functional areas [Academic Affairs, Office of the Provost, Colleges, Student Affairs, University Administration (HRS, Finance, Research)].

Based on shared project responsibilities, the Boise State Enterprise Roadmap Project is a University Project.

Let’s take a look at the three governance, leadership, and management groups responsible for the project:

• Information Technology Governance Council (ITGC), consisting of the University vice-presidents, and a Dean’s Council representative. This group is the executive sponsor of the project, and involved in major policy and budget discussions.
• Information Technology Priority Council (ITPC), consisting of the Vice-Provosts, most of the Associate and Assistant VP’s, and Dean’s Council and student representatives. This group provides governance and advising with strategic decisions and priorities.
• Roadmap Leadership Team (RLT), consisting of faculty plus functional and OIT managers and directors. This team is responsible for the tactical and operational aspects of the project.

Out of the nine members of the ITGC, there is one Office of Information Technology representative.

There are three Office of Information Technology representatives on the twelve-member ITPC.

Five of the eleven-member Roadmap Leadership Team team are from OIT.

Based on these numbers, 72% of the Roadmap governance, leadership, and management groups are functional or non-OIT. 

The Boise State Enterprise Roadmap Project is a University Project.

- Max

Public and private comments are welcomed and encouraged. Please comment on the blog posts or email me at maxdavis-johnson@boisestate.edu.

The Roadmap Project is more than just updating our enterprise systems – HR/Payroll, Financials, and Student. We will be: implementing a research administration system to support our rapidly growing research mission; expanding our data warehouse and business intelligence use; developing an individualized unified web experience; evaluating our basic accounting structure – the chart of accounts (COA) to better align HR/Payroll, Financials, and growing Research needs; evaluating and implementing operational and organizational best practices for both technology and functional processes; improving and streamlining identity management and security; and, expanding and improving document management. We will also be putting in place the University policies, practices, and governance necessary to advance, sustain, and support enterprise systems.