FROM SILOED TO STRATEGIC THE CASE FOR A TECHNOLOGY MASTER PLAN B Y H E AT H E R C A L L AWAY
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In an era where digital transformation is considered from the earliest planning defines every facet of institutional growth, stages and throughout a facility’s lifecycle. technology is no longer a supporting The result is enhanced performance, greater player; it is an essential layer of campus adaptability, and a blueprint for sustainable infrastructure and operations. Unfortunately, investments. many higher education institutions still make technology decisions in isolation, Crucially, the TMP provides a structured often reacting to immediate project needs means to identify what technologies without coordination across departments or are already in place, what systems are long-term foresight. This siloed and reactive underutilized or obsolete, and what future approach leads to inefficiencies, fragmented investments are necessary. It begins systems, and retroactive fixes that strain both with a comprehensive assessment of the budgets and operations. current technology landscape, including performance metrics and alignment with Introducing the Technology Master Plan internal standards. From there, stakeholders A Technology Master Plan (TMP) offers from across the institution are engaged a clear pathway from fragmentation to through interviews, surveys, and focus groups integration. Instead of treating technology to ensure that a wide range of perspectives as a last-minute addition, the TMP embeds inform the planning. These insights are digital systems into the core of planning then benchmarked against emerging best and design, strategically aligning them practices throughout the sector. with the institution’s mission, operational goals, and evolving needs. This forward- Collaboration, Cost, and Implementation looking framework ensures that technology Stakeholder engagement sits at the heart of