Jisc’s data maturity framework treats data as an asset and defines what data maturity looks like in a higher and further education context. Data maturity refers to how well an organisation leverages its data for decision-making and its regulatory obligations. It considers risk mitigation, accountability and the effectiveness of data practices.
The model offers a strategic framework to understand current data capabilities at an enterprise level. It can help you make more informed decisions; identify weaknesses and gaps in data management that will help you improve processes; and make sure your teams understand their roles in making the organisation data mature. Stay ahead by developing a data literate culture that capitalises on insights, makes informed investments, and adheres to regulatory standards.
So how do you prepare for trying to improve your data operations at your institution? Start by considering three stages: current landscape, solutions and roadmap.
Your landscape
Firstly, try to fully understand your current state and the legacy and cultural challenges you face in your organisation. This may range from strategic information needs to the day-to-day operational activities that can often be burdened by data inefficiencies. Use an assessment or audit to understand your landscape and to engage stakeholders and colleagues. Opening the process up to a wide range of staff helps credibility and gives you multiple viewpoints on data operations and capability in your institution, so ensure as many functions and domains are included as you can.
Solutions
There are financial implications to implementing data improvement activities – software and experienced developers cost money. But there are solutions that don’t need a business case to get going. Understand what value data can bring to your organisation, agree who is accountable for tasks and activities, define what your datasets are, agree what a “student” is in your context. Try to bridge functional siloes, share knowledge and start to have more data conversations within your organisation. Move data up the agenda by finding a senior sponsor who will champion data improvement activities and help prioritise actions that will have the greatest strategic or operational impact. These things can all improve how data is managed and utilised.
Roadmap
Finally, you’ll need to think about your options for approaching change. This may be a formal, funded data transformation programme like Leeds University, or it might be achieving small incremental gains such as expanding your knowledge in the area or finding capacity within business-as-usual for small data projects. Whatever your roadmap looks like, having a plan that you can communicate helps you make coherent progress and allows accountability on your journey to data maturity.
Next steps
Our CPD-accredited course, introduction to data maturity, introduces new audiences to data maturity in the context of higher and further education. The online module is designed for both new starters and existing staff at any level that require an introduction to data maturity, providing best practice on managing data more effectively across different roles in your organisation. Use it to help engage your teams. You can access the course for free here. The Jisc data maturity framework is a free resource that allows you to access maturity levels across the data landscape. You can find it here.
If you’re ready to take the next step, contact your relationship manager to discuss how we can support your data maturity journey.
