JISC

This project aims to demonstrate how the adoption of a student engagement tracking system (intelligent engagement) can support and enhance institutional decision making with evidence in three business intelligence (BI) data subject categories: student data and information, performance measurement and management, and strategic planning.

To achieve this aim, the project will:

• Assess the current and expected institutional BI maturity level in the three chosen BI data subject categories in general, and the intelligent engagement system in particular
• Work closely with the BI provider SSP to make better use of student tracking data in support of institutional decision making through developing a BI decision support toolkit using data collected by the student engagement tracking system and other internal and external data sources
• Promote the use of JISC infoNet BI resources in the institution and explore the possibility of integrating the student engagement tracking system with JISC infoNet BI resources
• Showcase examples in relation to the realisation of a successful BI implementation (intelligent engagement) in the UoB and promote wider adoption of BI in the UK Higher Education sector

Overview

To manage student engagement in their academic study more effectively the University of Bedfordshire (UoB) jointly with SolStonePlus (SSP) came up with an effective student engagement tracking system – called Intelligent Engagement (IE). Currently the system serves as merely an information source, rather than a decision support environment. On this backdrop, the UoB are interested in developing a BI decision support toolkit – software designed to enhance the functionality of the existing system. It is hoped that the project will help managers and academic staff take a more proactive approach in student management and strategic planning.

Aims and Objectives

This project aims to examine the extent to which the adoption of a student engagement tracking system can support and enhance institutional decision making with evidence in three business intelligence (BI) data subject categories: student data and information, performance measurement and management and strategic planning. More specifically, the project will assess the current and expected institutional BI maturity level in the three chosen BI data subject categories, work with SSP to develop an open source version of the BI decision support toolkit, identify key BI implementation issues and showcasing and promotion of the toolkit to the wider HE community.

Project Methodology

Five work packages will be undertaken to meet the project objectives.

WP1 – benchmarking BI maturity level.

WP2– toolkit requirement specifications.

WP3 - toolkit development and testing.

WP4– identification of key BI implementation issues.

WP5– showcasing and promotion of IE toolkit.

Institutional decision makers across different levels will play an essential role in benchmarking BI maturity level, and outlining required toolkit specification. The project will involve working with SSP to develop the toolkit and rolling out the toolkit within the University. They will also be responsible for making an open source version of the toolkit available for the UK, HE, FE and Research community.

Anticipated Outputs and Outcomes

• Identification of the gap between the current and expected BI maturity levels at the UoB
• Specifications for the BI decision support toolkit,
• Development and testing of 　a BI decision support toolkit,
• Examination of key issues faced when introducing a BI system,
• Possible integration of the software output with JISC infoNet BI resources,
• Production of resources to promote wider adoption of BI in the UK higher education sector.

Technology/Standards Used

Open source software will be used to develop the BI decision support toolkit.