The Data Efficiency Project Andy Youell Director of Quality and Development, HESA Richard Puttock Head of Data and Management Information, HEFCE SROC Bradford

The Data Efficiency Project Funded by HEFCE, SFC, HEFCW, TDA and HESA Undertaken by PriceWaterhouseCoopers Report published on HEFCE web-site (Circular letter 28/2008)

Objectives To understand the data-related burdens and operational barriers that arise in institutions in delivering the HESA Staff and Student returns; To identify and/or develop improvements to the existing process; To produce a Road Map to implement the improvements identified; and [To gather data on the nature of the additional burdens involved in data returns for Atypical staff]

Key findings (1) Good HEI engagement Similar processes, different systems Agreed good practice Patchy existence of good practice

Key findings (2) Good practice is generally in HEIs hands Numerous opportunities for better practice Better practice is generally in sponsoring agencies' hands

Sources of burden - student data (1) Adapting to changes in the collection requirements Correcting errors in the original data Waiting for/correcting errors in the *J file Meeting the return deadline within resource constraints

Sources of burden - student data (2) Entering the data into the system at the start of the process Overcoming resistance to the process from colleagues Aligning new IT systems with the return requirements in order to meet the deadline

Sources of burden - student data (3) Obtaining correct data from students during the process Training new staff in time to meet the return deadline Aligning HEI data structures with the HESA data structures

Good practice (1) Governance and culture –Senior ownership of data –Understanding data usage People –Data team personnel Technology –Technology assessment –Live quality assurance

Good practice (2) Process –Timely quality checking –Managing change –Supporting documentation –HESA protocol Data –Single data view

Next steps Implementation group Possible quick wins

Implementation group Chair – Nigel Thrift, VC Warwick Members – –SROC –ARC –Others - AHUA, AUA planners forum, UPA, UCISA, JISC, HESA, funding bodies Schedule

Possible quick wins Star J and UCAS liaison (A04 & A19) Stability of student returns (A02) Clarifying why “we” want data (A06) Integration of HEFCE web-facility (A13)

Finding the report –Publications Research and Evaluation –2008 Or /rd19_08/