Duke and Jordan

We are undertaking a study for the JISC, to ascertain what work the JISC should undertake to provide more support for managers in administrative departments who are taking responsibility for sizeable IT projects. The JISC has evidence that this is giving concern to some people in this position and wants to give them better help.

We shall be looking at the information needs of managers, at communications within and around projects and at estimating the resources required by projects. We are asked to make recommendations as to how these estimates can be improved and we will consider the use and value of the project management tools actually used by managers.

Our methodology involves contacting people in universities or colleges which are currently undertaking or which have recently finished the implementation of a major administrative system.

We shall be contacting both administrative managers and ICT specialists in colleges and universities by visit, phone, email and web survey.

The project is organised into the following seven stages:

1. To agree with the study sponsors the scope and operation of the study.
2. To collect the documentary evidence necessary for the review.
3. To assess the value and relevance of the documentary evidence we are able to collect and to identify areas which are not covered.
4. To collect by visit and phone call the views of institutional witnesses, who have been involved in selected projects, on their information needs and the information contributions they have made.
5. To collect the views of some suppliers on the information needs of projects .
6. To survey a wider set of people involved in projects by a web survey in order to consolidate views.
7. To consult a subset of stakeholders on draft conclusions and recommendations prior to the production of draft and final reports for the study sponsor.