Middleware Deployment Issues: The Institutional Environment Mark Crase, California State University Office of the Chancellor Internet2 Middleware CAMP 24 June, 2002

Internet2 MW CAMP June, Where we are… Middleware is steadily moving out of the test-bed environment and into the mainstream. Implementation challenges at higher education institutions are a reflection of the idiosyncrasies of that environment.

Internet2 MW CAMP June, Institutional Environment: Public vs. Private Institutions Public and private institutions will be subjected to different governance pressures that may impact how Middleware might be developed and deployed. – Legal – Political – Financial – Governance Structure

Internet2 MW CAMP June, Institutional Environment: Collaborative vs. Competitive Effective middleware development will require participation from all quarters. Development in a culture of cooperation and information sharing will require less effort than in an environment where information is hoarded or success is judged on departmental gains or losses.

Internet2 MW CAMP June, Institutional Environment: Institutional Vision vs. Local Control Is there a strategic vision for the institution or is business done an a day-to-day, year-to-year basis? Are business practices and applications well- coordinated? How “hardened” are your silos? Is there an ERP project underway?

Internet2 MW CAMP June, Institutional Environment: Strategic vs. Tactical Planning Middleware development and deployment will require both approaches: Strategic planning to define the implementation “road map,” ensure long-term success and ongoing alignment with the institutional mission Tactical planning and project management to ensure implementation stays on time and on budget IT Architecture will help do both

Internet2 MW CAMP June, Institutional Environment: Risk and Change Readiness Risk Averse vs. Thrill Seeking Changing the way we do business involves risk. Commitment of resources that might be used elsewhere Shifts in control of services and/or applications Reliance on unfamiliar/untested technologies Change Readiness Simply put, change is tough! How ready is your institution?

Internet2 MW CAMP June, Institutional Environment: Entrepreneurial vs. Structured Free agents are frequently the source of innovation, but command-and-control is required to ensure the “trains run on time.” Both are needed Balance is required What incentives will you use to ensure that everyone is engaged?

Internet2 MW CAMP June, Institutional Environment: Acceptability of Outsourcing Some middleware solutions might best be provided by the commercial sector, but institutions with represented employees may find this approach unacceptable. What are the options? Are required resources available in-house? If not, are consultants available for the short term?

Internet2 MW CAMP June, Institutional Environment: Role of IT Perceived Value of Central IT Is Central IT seen as adding value, or as a barrier to progress? Will it be accepted in a coordinating role or will a surrogate be required? Strategic Resource vs. Tactical Tool Are strategic decisions made with IT in mind, or is IT a “bolt-on” after the fact? Are funding decisions made with IT input?

Internet2 MW CAMP June, Institutional Environment: Policy & Legal Constraints Stewardship of Data Central vs. Distributed is really not the issue. Is data stewardship well-defined? Access to Data Formally or loosely governed? Access authority centralized or distributed? Data Administration Centrally managed or distributed? HIPPA and FERPA compliant?

Internet2 MW CAMP June, Institutional Environment: Resources Requirements Financial Resources Centrally managed or distributed? Multi-year or annual budgets? Human Resources Centrally managed or distributed? Communications “Mass Media” for accuracy and consistency “Personal Touch” for context

Internet2 MW CAMP June, Institutional Environment: Middleware and its Role Middleware Must Be Defined Do the stakeholders understand what it is? Have the components and their relationships been defined? Benefits of Middleware Described Do program managers understand how middleware can help improve/increase service? Do end-users understand how it will affect their activities?

Internet2 MW CAMP June, Institutional Environment: Middleware and its Role Business & Academic Drivers Defined Internal drivers: –Transactions between members of campus community –Transactions between members and institution External drivers: –Transactions between institutions Mapping Benefits Against Drivers Match priority applications against the appropriate middleware components

Internet2 MW CAMP June, Questions and Comments?

Internet2 MW CAMP June, Contact Information Mark Crase, Sr. Dir., Technology Infrastructure California State University, Office of the Chancellor

Internet2 MW CAMP June,