The Next Frontier Project is working to develop an improved university data infrastructure and associated ecosystem. Independent consultants recently completed a needs and effectiveness assessment through virtual forums with campus constituents and a review of analytics processes and structures.
Final assessments were recently presented to the Next Frontier project subcommittee for evaluation and, in collaboration with Decision Support/Research Support working groups, findings will be utilized to prioritize and draft a multi-year Next Frontier program.
Next Frontier Project Timeline
- 2019: Identified as a high priority in the Information Technology Planning Committee (ITPC) Decision Support and Research Support working groups.
- December 2021: The ITPC Decision Support and Research Support working groups combined to form the Next Frontier project/program committee (the “Next Frontier Subcommittee”).
- January 2022: Next Frontier Subcommittee planning sessions.
- April 2022: Next Frontier ITPC project proposed by the Next Frontier Subcommittee.
- May-June 2022: The division of Research and Economic Development coordinated in-person and virtual benchmarking visits at other universities, including Arizona State University, University of California San Diego, George Washington University, and Harvard University.
- June 2022: Approved project and initial scoping work funded by the Provost’s Office, Division of Research and Economic Development, and Division of Finance & Administration/OIT.
- July 2022: Two consultant companies, Moran Technology Consulting and Borden Insights, contracted and initial scoping work commenced.
- August 2022: Next Frontier Subcommittee fielded documentation requests from the consultants. Nearly fifty documents were provided ranging from strategic plans, organizational charts, and policies to data governance, data architecture, and IT governance materials.
- August 31, 2022: Provided initial details about Next Frontier to the campus community.
- September 2, 2022: Provided additional details about Next Frontier to the research and creative activity community across campus.
- September 6, 2022: Information about the Next Frontier project shared at the Academic Leadership Council.
- September 7, 2022: Executive Kick-Off
- September 15-23, 2022: Consultants conducted campus-wide sessions. Over 200 individuals from across campus were invited to one or more of 24 sessions including kickoff sessions, leadership sessions, executive user sessions, operational user sessions, and follow-up closing sessions.
- September 19, 2022: PI Dashboard Requirements survey was developed and launched with the research and creative activity community across campus. Results of the PI Survey will be used to inform future planning and next phases of the Next Frontier project.
- October 10, 2022: Next Frontier Subcommittee received the first draft assessments from the consultants.
- October 20, 2022: Next Frontier Subcommittee provided initial feedback to the consultants.
- November-December 2022: Final consultant assessments due to the Next Frontier Subcommittee. The Next Frontier subcommittee will evaluate the final assessment.
- Spring 2023 and beyond: Next Frontier Subcommittee presents assessment findings to Executive Leadership. Next Frontier Subcommittee and Decision Support/Research Support working groups prioritize and draft a multi-year Next Frontier program based on assessment results. Phase II of Next Frontier is determined.
For more information, please contact Moriah O’Kelley at moriahokelley@boisestate.edu or Jennifer Jayne at jenniferjayne@boisestate.edu.