Successful Intercampus IT Collaboration

University of Missouri Blackboard Intercampus Collaboration (BbIC)

Collaboration … companies that value internal communication between departments and teams show increased agility, resilience and customer satisfaction.

Background 3 Campuses Running 3 Different Versions Of Blackboard UMKC –Moved From WebCT To Bb On Windows –Interested In Moving To Community System –Needed Process Automation UMR –Older Version Of Bb Running On Aging Equipment –Wanted To Increase Campus Adoption Of Bb (ROI) –Needed To Upgrade Hardware To Meet Storage Requirements UMSL –Bb Is Mission Critical/Portal –Usage Continuing To Grow –Needed To Upgrade Hardware To Meet Load Demands CIOs Were Looking For Areas Where Collaboration Made Sense

Project Objectives Develop A Successful Intercampus Collaboration Model Leverage Expertise And Resources From Each Campus Provide A Unified CMS With A Portal User Experience Increase Overall Value Of The Collective UM Investment In Blackboard Provide A More Robust Environment And Stronger Support Model For This Mission Critical Application

Approach Evaluate Current Campus Environments Identify Potential Collaborative Scenarios Evaluate Each Scenario –Cost / Benefit –Risks & Mitigating Factors Define A Phased Approach And Timeline Evaluate, Select And Propose A Solution Scenario Obtain CIO Approval And GO!!!

Areas Of Collaboration Administration –Streamlining Processes Can Save Time/Resources Support –More Resources To Address Problems –Share Support Materials To Reduce Redundant Work Hardware –Provide A More Robust Environment For The Money –Fully Redundant Development Hardware Possible Training –Share Materials, Knowledge And Trainers

Phase One Phase Two One Hardware Environment With Fully Redundant Development Hardware Moved From 3 OSs & 2 Bb Versions To 1 OS (Solaris) & 1 Bb Version (7.1) Coordinated 3 rd Tier Support Coordinated Training And User Support Efforts (UMSL Trainers Went To UMR) Standardized Naming Conventions And Data Feeds Governance Structure (Moved To Phase 2) Develop Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) And SLAs Governance Structure Change Management Deliver Single Sign On (SSO) Integration To UMKC Revise Snapshot Scripts To Update Hourly UMKC Developing Integrated Request System Similar To UMSL’s Developing Collaborative Training And Support Model

Scenario Options Scenario 1 – Distributed: 3 Campus Hardware Environments With A Single Shared Development Environment Scenario 2 – Unified: Flexible Unified Implementation Infrastructure Hosted At One Campus Scenario 3 – Blackboard ASP: Offsite Hosted Solution

Scenario 2: Unified

Scenario 2 – Unified (Detail)

Why Scenario 2? Best Use Of Staffing Resources –Leveraged Expertise From Each Campus Best Value –Able To Purchase Better, Scalable Hardware To Meet Growth –Able To Purchase Fully Redundant Development Environment More Collaboration –Develop Model For Future Projects

Top 10 Challenges Campus Cultural Differences Fear Of Loss Of Control Scarce Resources (Staffing) Communication Challenges (Face To Face vs. vs. Conference Calls) Geographical Distance Between Campuses

Top 10 Challenges (Cont.) Blackboard Version 7.1 New Sun Hardware Migration From LAN To WAN Dependency Source Data Differences 3 Different Upgrade Paths –Solaris 6.3 –Linux 6.1 –Windows 6.3

Top 11 Elements Of Success Hard Work Of All Team Members Honesty Of Participants – No Hidden Agendas Promoted Trust Good Communication Management Buy-In Short Time Frame Forced Quick Decisions And Actions Good Understanding Of Each Campus’ Policies And Procedures Everyone Had A Willingness To Compromise For The Good Of The Project

Top 11 Elements Of Success (Cont.) Project Management Approach (With A Good Project Manager) –Define Goals And Roles –Establish Project Plan (Tasks And Timeline) –Mitigate, Mediate Or Escalate Project Issues SharePoint For Document Repository And Electronic Collaboration (Tracking Task Lists, Issues, etc.) Weekly Campus Leads Conference Calls –Small Numbers –Open, Frank And Honest Conversations –Kept Project Focused On Goals Establishment Of High Level Sponsorship

Collaborative Model Provides More Opportunities Get Better Designed And More Scalable System For The Money Leverage With Vendors Power In Collaboration

Important Documents Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) Service Level Agreement (SLA) Governance Structure Processes And Procedures –Backup And Restore –Data Flow –Issue Tracking And Handling –Etc.

Project Team Members Tony Kay Schutz – Campus Lead (UMKC) Kyle Collins – Campus Lead (UMSL) Kelly Crone-Willis – System Administrator Expert (UMSL) Meg Brady – Project Manager (UMR) Allen Flerlage – Campus Lead (UMR) And Many More!!!

Thank You For Attending BbIC

Central States Blackboard Users Group (CSBUG) Inaugural Meeting Tomorrow 3:30pm – 5:20pm Sheraton Hotel – Hampton B Shameless Plug….