JISC

The project will consider how one can realistically cost ongoing IT services, by devising a model to be applied based on TRAC. The model will evolve from interviews and general understanding of existing costing models used at Oxford, and the complexities of provisioning IT services. It will then be applied to three services coming under the portfolio of Oxford University Computing Services, and at least one other elsewhere in the University.

The proposed project has the following objectives:

Project methodology

• define each discrete service to be analysed
• identify the full range of costs to be included
• understand the users (departments, staff, students etc), and the types of user data that might be currently recorded
• produce a model and apply it

Anticipated outputs and outcome

The deliverables of the project will be:

• A conceptual design of the costing model employed
• Definitions of all of the service areas analysed
• For each of the selected service areas:
• -What costs were included (OUCS cost centres, indirect costs, departmental costs)
• -What method was used to allocate each area of cost to services, users, TRAC activities and departments – and how the time or usage data was collected to allow this allocation to take place
• Recommendations for the future
• How the model could be developed across other service areas (outside the six selected for this study)
• Any other factors that might affect the allocation or development of the other OUCS or departmental costs not used in these areas
• Issues around the implementation of this model by other HEIs