2. Standardisation: the challenges within a newly merged centre
Jessica Borley: Head of Quality
Perth College, UHI

3. Benefits of a Merger Economies of scale Opportunity for synergies
Greater efficiency
Greater profitability/less expenditure
Improvement to standards
Before considering the challenges lets look at the benefits – these can be true in the long term once the partnership has settled in but don’t show the reality of the challenges of a merger in the shorter term and the work involved in ‘settling in’ to the merger.

4. Corporate Challenges
What do you think the main challenges of a merger are from a corporate perspective?
Mapping
Process mapping

5. Corporate Challenges of a Merger
Autonomous Institutions which have different:
Corporate Cultures
College Vision and Mission
Guiding Principles
Governance structures
Management structure - hierarchical or flat. Who would take the lead?
Corporate/Operational planning cycles
Different Awarding Bodies for HE
How will it affect students expectations?
How will it be perceived by the public?

6. Operational Challenges
What will the College need to consider when planning standardisation of operations?
Mapping
Process mapping

7. Operational Challenges of a Merger
Capacity of staff workloads
Same awards, different structures, different delivery
Academic contracts may differ
Same roles, different responsibilities
Rationalisation – portfolio, staffing, resources
Software compatibility e.g. SITS/Banner, CELCAT
Governance structures – responsibilities for quality?
Policies, Procedures, Processes – similar but not the same
Staff need to know and understand the rationale for a merger in order to accept it.
Mapping of systems and processes but also portfolio of awards delivered. Process mapping

8. Challenges of Standardisation
What are the considerations you will need to take into account in standardising operations?
Mapping
Process mapping

9. Challenges of Standardisation
Mapping of existing process and systems
Writing of new/revision of policies and processes:
What is mandatory/controlled
What is flexible
Same or equivalent output?
Standardisation (levelness) activity for moderation and marking
Software compatibility
Mapping
Process mapping

10. Managing Change : Managing Expectations
Change is outside staff ‘comfort zone’
Communication is key
Consult staff and students, and other stakeholders
Maintain staff and student awareness i.e. communicate changes clearly and in a timely way
Be aware of how change affects people
Workloads – does it really have to be changed at all or now?
Mapping
Process mapping

11. Best steps forward Big decisions: who leads/manages provision
does rationalisation mean redundancies?
Identify early who will be involved
Plan a timeline for changes and stick to it
Learn from best practice, don’t just stick with current practice that you are familiar with