Running an education institution has perhaps never been harder. Between balancing tight budgets, efficiently distributing resources and delivering a stellar student experience, senior leaders now manage many vital responsibilities.
Making the right decisions at the right time is therefore vital. So, managers are leaning into data to guide and inform their decision making. Arguably they’re becoming more business-like by using metrics to measure success and to target interventions and investment.
This blog post explores this trend in further detail and highlights the benefits for institutions in moving away from intuition and experience. In today's data-driven world, cold, hard facts are the best tools to guide your choices.
What is data-driven decision-making in education?
Traditionally, many educational decisions were made based on experience and existing practice. Data-driven decision-making offers a powerful alternative. It focuses on using the wealth of information and data points that institutions collect to make informed choices.
The approach typically involves:
It’s important to note that data-driven decision-making must be seen as an ongoing process. Only by continuously collecting, analysing and acting on data insights can universities ensure that they're evolving to meet the changing needs of students and staying at the forefront of technology transformation.
This contrasts significantly with the traditional approach of relying on gut instinct. Intuition can be clouded by biases, outdated assumptions and a lack of objective evaluation or evidence. Arguing for a solution because "it's always been done this way" is no longer sustainable.
Unlocking data-driven decision-making for your university
Data isn't just about numbers on a spreadsheet; it should be seen as a powerful tool that unlocks a wealth of insights into your institution’s operations. Let's explore some of the concrete benefits of leveraging data to guide your decisions.
Data-driven decision-making for smarter software investment
One immediate application for using data to inform your decisions is around software investment. Education institutions constantly strive to equip staff and students with the right digital tools, but limited budgets and a lack of usage data can make software selection a gamble.
Importantly, Academic Software’s platform empowers CIOs and IT leads’ data-driven decision-making. This solution makes best use of available resources and helps prioritise learning outcomes. The platform helps customers to:
Ready to make data-driven decisions?
The future of higher education is data driven. By using valuable data and embracing data analytics, institutions can be better positioned to thrive.
Explore Academic Software’s data analytics platform that’s been designed to empower universities like yours. We also offer a free consultation to discuss your specific needs and to explore how data can help your institution flourish.