1. The HE data and information landscape –
making it happen (painlessly ?!?)
Andy Youell
Director of Standards and Development
ARC 2012-11-12

2. Agenda
• Background
• Issues for RPG and the data processors
• Issues for institutions
• The end bit…

3. Agenda
• Background
• Issues for RPG and the data processors
• Issues for institutions
• The end bit…

4. RPG - Project B
• White paper: A new system that:
– Meets the needs of a wider group of users
– Reduces duplication
– Results in timelier and more relevant data
• Feasibility and impact analysis - Roadmap for future
development
• Reported to RPG June 2012
• Recommendations were accepted

6. Agenda
• Background
• Issues for RPG and the data processors
• Issues for institutions
• The end bit…

7. HEBRG survey of data collection

8. Issues – data collectors/processors
• Very broad range of organisations, collecting and
processing data for many different purposes
• Low awareness of what each other is collecting
• Inconsistent definitions and terminology
• Patchy approach to data standards adoption
• No holistic view of the system
• No mechanism or forum to bring these bodies
together

9. Recommendations to RPG
• Governance for data and information exchange
across the sector
• Development of a common data language
– Data model, lexicon, thesaurus
• Inventory of data collections
• Specific data standards work
– JACS
– Unique Learner Number

10. 1. Governance framework
• Co-regulation - sector-level data processors and HE
providers
• Collaboration: standardisation and sharing
• Challenge process (and visibility)
• Scope
– UK dimension
– Non-HE bodies
• How to achieve (and maintain) buy-in from
stakeholders?

11. 2. Data model, lexicon and thesaurus
• Review of existing collections/definitions – the as is
• Better understanding of differences/similarities
– In definitions
– In terminology
• Coming from both angles:
– What are collectors asking for?
– What are institutions supplying?
• To inform future standardisation and data sharing
discussion
• Deliverables:
– Data model, lexicon and thesaurus
– Maintenance plan

12. 3. Inventory of data collections
• HEBRG survey identified 550 lines of reporting
• Very little detail (width)
• Is it complete? (length)
• We need a solid understanding of the current burden
– To help HEIs become more joined up in their reporting
– To challenge data collectors to reduce duplication
• Deliverables:
– Database of collections
– Maintenance plan

13. 4a JACS development
• Problems:
– JACS could have far broader use
– Current structure has run out of space
• Analysis of requirements
• Exploration of coding options
• Deliverable:
– Road map for future development

14. 4b ULN implementation
• ULN widely accepted as a Good Thing
– Reducing burden by replacing existing IDs
– Adding value and reducing burden through better data
linking/sharing
• What are the real barriers to adoption?
• What would it take to resolve these issues?
• Deliverable
– An assessment of where we currently are with ULN
– Commitment to a roadmap?

15. Agenda
• Background
• Issues for RPG and the data processors
• Issues for institutions
• The end bit…

17. Findings – HE providers
• Few HE providers have a complete picture of their
data reporting requirements
• Uncoordinated responses to (uncoordinated)
requests for data
• Some weaknesses in data management/governance
Diamond: Process improvement, simplification and
standardisation is key to unlocking the value of shared
services

18. Agenda
• Background
• Issues for RPG and the data processors
• Issues for institutions
• The end bit…

19. Painless….?
• If this was easy, it would have happened a long time
ago
• Not a “clean-sheet” exercise
• Seize the moment:
– Technologies and standards
– Change
– Political will and profile

20. Any questions?

21. Discussion
• How, if at all, could an information governance
process work at a sector level?
– Scope
– Function
– Power/authority
• What are the barriers to improving quality and
efficiency in HEI data
– Does it matter that concepts, processes and lexicon differ
within, and between, institutions?
– Conflict between standardisation and autonomy?

22. The HE data and information landscape –
making it happen (painlessly ?!?)
Andy Youell
Director of Standards and Development
ARC 2012-11-12