3 strategies to put your institution’s data to work

Key takeaways

• Leaders must set clear rules for governing data
• Data must be made relevant and approachable across campus
• Analytics is an opportunity for institutions to gain an advantage

The sooner you move on analytics, the greater your competitive advantage. 

Institutions that invest in analytics sooner rather than later have a significant opportunity to differentiate themselves in the market. In a 2015 study on the analytics landscape in higher education, Educause found that, while nine out of 10 respondents report some level of institutional interest in analytics, mature programs tied to strategic outcomes are still uncommon. For the most part, data is being used for operational monitoring rather than the proactive or predictive modes of analysis that distinguish analytics from traditional reporting. 

For so long, higher education institutions were hindered by a lack of data. Now, there are massive quantities of data being collected and shared, but we lack systems and strategies for parlaying that information into greater student and institutional success. In essence, higher education finds itself data rich but insight poor. 

Reasons for this predicament range from practical to ethical, technological to cultural. Yet, we have a responsibility to tackle these challenges in order to offer more students better access to higher quality education. 

Many institutions are starting down this path—figuring out how to harness the potential of big data while ensuring their data can be trusted and their constituents are using it the right way. As they test and measure these efforts, we see clear best practices emerging.