Strategies for the “New Normal” Debra Allison | March 15, 2010 Interim Vice President for Information Technology Miami University

AGENDA  Strategic Planning at Your Institution  Today’s Environment: The New Normal  Discuss Strategies for the New Normal  What Does This Mean for the CIO?

Does your institution have a strategic plan? A. We have both an institutional strategic plan & an IT strategic plan. B. We have an institutional strategic plan only. C. We have an IT strategic plan only. D. We don’t have either an IT or institutional SP. E. Not sure.

Are your IT projects driven by a strategic plan? A. Yes, the strategic plan is the primary driver of the projects we undertake in IT. B. Yes, the strategic plan is one of the drivers of our IT projects. C. No, the strategic plan isn’t referenced. D. No, the strategic plan is outdated. E. We don’t have any strategic plan (inst’l or IT).

Today’s Higher Education Environment  Widespread demands for access, affordability, accountability  Permanent financial pressures  “Disruptive Innovations” in education  Consumerization of technology  Increased need for prioritization of initiatives  Competition for students  Higher ed is becoming a competitive business

How does your institution view the IT org? A. Our IT organization is primarily viewed as a technology provider  IT is an expense  Goal is to keep IT expenses as low as possible  CIO viewed as a technologist B. Our IT organization is primarily viewed as a service partner & innovator  IT is viewed as an investment (at least sometimes)  Goal is to innovate & move the institution forward  CIO viewed as an academic & business strategist

In the “new normal,” IT must view itself as a innovation partner. For CIO, this means…  Relationship competencies  Emotional Intelligence  Adaptive communication style  Management competencies  Data-informed management (traditional business skills)  Proactive service management  Leadership competencies  Capture opportunities as a servant-leader  Transformational leadership

New Business Models in Higher Ed IT  More than “aligned;” strive for “embedded”  Leverage past investments in IT  “End of Life” services to make room for new  Cut budgets AND invest  Capture opportunities  Evaluate new sourcing options  Implement “Shared Services”  Evaluate TCO over 5-10 years  Evaluate ROI

What is your career goal? A. I am a CIO and I plan to continue as a CIO. B. I am a CIO and I do not plan to continue. C. I am an IT professional and plan to pursue a CIO position for the future. D. I am employed outside IT but plan to pursue a CIO position for the future. E. Why in the world would anyone want to be a CIO?

What is the single best way for you to obtain skills/competencies for the “new normal?” at this stage in your career? A. On-the-job training B. Mentoring by your boss C. Mentoring by a CIO outside your institution D. Participation in EDUCAUSE & other organizations E. Pursue higher degree

Fundamental Question  How do we plan in the midst of the chaos?  One creative approach…

Miami University  IT vision  Light on forums  Emphasis on web-based interactions  Crowdsourcing  “Ideas” campaign  Based upon “My Starbuck’s Idea Campaign”  Share, Vote, Discuss, See

Miami University IT Ideas Campaign Discuss-Comment-Vote Submit New Ideas Ideas in Action  Continuous strategic planning

Miami University IT Ideas Campaign

Specific Strategies in the “New Normal”  End-of-Life services  Collaborate internally & outside the institution  Implement instit’l solutions, not point solutions  Evaluate all sourcing options  Create IT “Communities of Practice”  Organize around services  Proactively deal with under-performers  Scenario planning to improve agility  Build a leaner IT organization

Discussion  Tell us what skills are most critical to become a successful CIO in the future. Is the “new normal” forcing new or enhanced skills?  What do you most need in order to be an effective CIO at your institution?  What does the “new normal” mean for IT organizational structures?  What other challenges & opportunities would you like to talk about?

THANK YOU