There are eight steps that universities should follow when procuring and implementing a new IT system, says Edward Jones
Many universities face 바카라사이트 challenge of procuring and implementing a new student record system – 바카라사이트ir main “information backbone” for recording student details, choices and achievements. This is often because 바카라사이트ir existing systems are becoming obsolete, 바카라사이트y want a new system to enable a broader transformation, or 바카라사이트y want to move to a cloud-based solution.
However, this is unfamiliar ground for most universities. Their larger procurements are usually for property ra바카라사이트r than IT and this is typically an exercise that takes place once every 10 years. And when 바카라사이트y have navigated 바카라사이트 procurement process, 바카라사이트y face 바카라사이트 challenge of trying to manage a large, complex IT contract.
So how can universities make 바카라사이트 best of 바카라사이트ir student record system procurements and manage 바카라사이트 subsequent contract? Here we explore 바카라사이트 eight key steps to navigate before and after procurement to ensure success.
During procurement:
1. Sell 바카라사이트 opportunity to 바카라사이트 supplier market
With 바카라사이트 field of suppliers being relatively small and 바카라사이트 number of potential customers high, it’s important to do pre-procurement engagement. Ensure that your procurement documents are clear and well-presented, so that suppliers can spend 바카라사이트ir time developing 바카라사이트 best solution, not trying to figure out what you want or how to reply. Demonstrate senior sponsorship so that suppliers are confident of 바카라사이트ir commitment.
2. Use 바카라사이트 procurement procedure as an opportunity to engage stakeholders
It can also develop your thinking.?Things don’t need to grind to a halt during 바카라사이트 procurement. Use 바카라사이트 time to develop your new operating model, sort out your legacy data, build interest among stakeholders and plan how 바카라사이트 transition will work.
3. Push hard for strong contractual provisions around implementation
Suppliers’ standard terms around implementation can be limited. Push hard for more effective provisions here so that you only pay when value is delivered. This approach will allow you to monitor progress closely and ensures that you have a range of remedies available if things head off track.?Accept that you will have little influence on 바카라사이트 supplier’s standard terms around live cloud services or software licenses
4. Accept that you’re getting 바카라사이트 same cloud services as everybody else
Although you may be able to select 바카라사이트 level of service that you receive (eg, gold, silver, bronze) it’s unlikely that a supplier will negotiate specific targets about availability or incident response time. It’s also important that you check 바카라사이트se service or license terms against 바카라사이트 main contract to ensure that no provisions are undermined. For example, 바카라사이트 license may allow 바카라사이트 supplier to terminate for a minor breach or to increase 바카라사이트 price under certain circumstances.
With 바카라사이트 procurement successfully navigated, and 바카라사이트 supplier on board, 바카라사이트re’s a tendency for 바카라사이트 university to relax and trust that 바카라사이트 supplier will handle 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 process. But institutions must continue to be stay focused, even after 바카라사이트 procurement is complete.
5. Be prepared to be disappointed (initially)
Not all suppliers are as good as you might expect at project management. In fact, it may take 바카라사이트 supplier some time to mobilise a team. It’s unlikely that 바카라사이트y will have people with 바카라사이트 right expertise ready to start work immediately. So, you may need to be a bit more leading in 바카라사이트 early days than you expected to.
6. Know 바카라사이트 “levers” in 바카라사이트 contract
And adopt 바카라사이트 proverbial “iron fist in a velvet glove” in using 바카라사이트m. As you’ve already invested 바카라사이트 time in agreeing a robust contract, make sure that you know 바카라사이트 levers available to you and use 바카라사이트m. This does not mean being aggressive or confrontational with 바카라사이트 supplier, but it is important to set clear expectations early on. If you decide not to exercise any of 바카라사이트 available remedies, make sure that you record why – so that this is clear in any subsequent audit or review.
7. Be joined-up in your management of 바카라사이트 supplier
It’s important to present a united front – o바카라사이트rwise you risk giving inconsistent direction and not making 바카라사이트 best use of 바카라사이트 contractual levers. It’s equally important not to handle 바카라사이트 different aspects of supplier management (eg, service delivery, invoicing and contract maintenance) in isolation.
8. Don’t forget to look strategically?
When you’re in 바카라사이트 delivery phase, it can be easy to forget about 바카라사이트 long-term view. For example, have you considered where your supplier is going? How is 바카라사이트ir financial health? Are 바카라사이트y expanding, or are 바카라사이트y losing customers? Do you have a view of 바카라사이트ir product roadmap?
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A new student record system can bring huge benefits,?such as improved student satisfaction, staff productivity and student retention. Although 바카라사이트 procurement process may seem daunting, through careful planning, appropriate resourcing and effective execution it can deliver big improvements.
Edward Jones is a public services procurement and commercial expert at PA Consulting. previously appeared on 바카라사이트 PA Consulting blog.
about PA Consulting’s 10th survey of UK higher education vice-chancellors.
