The Data Efficiency Project

1
The Data Efficiency Project
Richard Puttock Head of Data and Management
Information, HEFCE

• Andy Youell
• Director of Quality and Development, HESA

SROC Bradford 2009-04-07
2
The Data Efficiency Project

• Funded by HEFCE, SFC, HEFCW, TDA and HESA
• Undertaken by PriceWaterhouseCoopers
• Report published on HEFCE web-site (Circular
  letter 28/2008)

3
Objectives

• To understand the data-related burdens and
  operational barriers that arise in institutions
  in delivering the HESA Staff and Student returns
• To identify and/or develop improvements to the
  existing process
• To produce a Road Map to implement the
  improvements identified and
• To gather data on the nature of the additional
  burdens involved in data returns for Atypical
  staff

4
(No Transcript)
5
Key findings (1)

• Good HEI engagement
• Similar processes, different systems
• Agreed good practice
• Patchy existence of good practice

6
Key findings (2)

• Good practice is generally in HEIs hands
• Numerous opportunities for better practice
• Better practice is generally in sponsoring
  agencies' hands

7
Sources of burden - student data (1)

• Adapting to changes in the collection
  requirements
• Correcting errors in the original data
• Waiting for/correcting errors in the J file
• Meeting the return deadline within resource
  constraints

8
Sources of burden - student data (2)

• Entering the data into the system at the start of
  the process
• Overcoming resistance to the process from
  colleagues
• Aligning new IT systems with the return
  requirements in order to meet the deadline

9
Sources of burden - student data (3)

• Obtaining correct data from students during the
  process
• Training new staff in time to meet the return
  deadline
• Aligning HEI data structures with the HESA data
  structures

10
Good practice (1)

• Governance and culture
• Senior ownership of data
• Understanding data usage
• People
• Data team personnel
• Technology
• Technology assessment
• Live quality assurance

11
Good practice (2)

• Process
• Timely quality checking
• Managing change
• Supporting documentation
• HESA protocol
• Data
• Single data view

12
Next steps

• Implementation group
• Possible quick wins

13
Implementation group

• Chair Nigel Thrift, VC Warwick
• Members
• SROC
• ARC
• Others - AHUA, AUA planners forum, UPA, UCISA,
  JISC, HESA, funding bodies
• Schedule

14
Possible quick wins

• Star J and UCAS liaison (A04 A19)
• Stability of student returns (A02)
• Clarifying why we want data (A06)
• Integration of HEFCE web-facility (A13)

15
Finding the report

• www.hefce.ac.uk
• Publications
• Research and Evaluation
• 2008
• Or http//www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/rdreports/2008/rd19
  _08/