Preparing for our digital leap

I am hugely motivated by the privilege of leading Oxford’s ambitious Digital Transformation programme. I am inspired by the power of colleagues collectively enabling Oxford to preserve its unique place in the world by being digitally fit for the future. In this blog, I’d like to reflect on how our efforts so far are enabling Oxford to start taking a digital leap. 

Digital transformation is an evolution. It’s not a single short-term programme. It involves thousands of people collaborating on hundreds of initiatives, continuously over time, to transform our inner workings and create simpler, connected and modernised experiences for staff and students. 

It's remarkable to think how much Oxford has already evolved in just the last few months. We now have a new Information and Digital Committee (IDC), replacing the previous IT Committee, and five new digital portfolio committees where leaders from across the collegiate University carefully decide which digital initiatives we must invest in to strengthen Oxford’s impact in education, research, administration, dissemination and engagement and technology. They apply six-dimensional thinking: people, planet, culture, process, data and technology to make sure the initiatives are not just focusing on the digital part alone. As we often say, digital transformation is less about the digital and more about the transformation. 

We are delivering changes using agile methodology to ensure our systems continuously reflect the fast-changing needs, views and practicalities for staff and students. These changes are beginning with education-focused pilot projects, including TMS (Teaching Management System), SITS (Student Information System), Canvas (Virtual Learning Environment) and ADSS (Admissions Decision Support System). Huge kudos to the team for getting these pilots up and running quickly. The pilot team will learn from this new approach and will create a blueprint for similar squads (agile delivery teams) in other digital portfolios.  

Simplification is at the heart of our work; here are a few examples:

• The new Student Hub will provide a simple consolidated point of entry for students to effectively navigate their relevant University and college systems and services and view key information.
• Our new stable, secure and flexible web platform for all the University’s public-facing web content will enable every area of the University to publish easily and securely, with a flexible set of tools. Replacing existing solutions such as Oxweb and Mosaic, the new web platform will create rich digital experiences for hundreds of creators across Oxford. 
• Our new intranet will provide a simple digital experience for all staff bringing together content published across the University into a joined-up view. This will be underpinned by enhanced staff data allowing information to be targeted to those in specific roles.  
• The Digital Transformation team is currently assessing how we can simplify digital solutions for HR and finance colleagues – more news to follow over the coming months. 

What else is going on with Digital Transformation? 

I love telling colleagues about Oxford’s new competency centres. We now have in-house teams of top-notch experts available to show, help and train colleagues in using existing and emerging technologies. In addition to our current centres for Cybersecurity, Workflow & Automation and Research Cloud, we are now also creating new centres for AI and Machine Learning and for Immersive Technology. 

Other initiative teams – including research computing, improving wireless, accessibility, physical spaces, online exams, and exam timetabling, to name a few – are collaborating with colleagues to focus on simplification, security and human-centred design. And, of course, we are keeping students involved and engaged along the way, especially with Student Digital Voice, our new student engagement approach. 

Our evolution also involves working with external consultants and delivery partners such as Microsoft, Amazon Web Services and Slalom – who help solidify our knowledge and achieve excellence in how staff can use new tools such as Microsoft’s Co-pilot. 

Looking forward and taking a digital leap 

An element of my role that I most enjoy is talking to colleagues across our collegiate University about what a digital transformation can mean for them. Just this month, I am working hand-in-hand with Focus, the Bodleian and the Professional Services Together team. I am also looking at success measures for culture change and supporting an enterprise service management investigative where 15 departments/functions and a college are being interviewed about future possibilities. These conversations mean we can share ideas and make digital transformation a reality and not just a programme. 

It feels like we have shifted up a gear in our transformation journey. Every day, I’m energised by knowing that Digital Transformation people across Oxford are co‑creating a more connected university and preparing for our digital leap. 

Links

• For more information, browse the news and resources on the Digital Transformation webpage.
• Listen to the Digital Oxford Podcast, where Professor Anne Trefethen and her guests explore how the University is evolving in the digital era. 
• If you’d like to share an idea or check anything, please email the team at digital.transformation@admin.ox.ac.uk.