30% reduction in BI run costs for a global research university
Point solution spaghetti
A sprawling, multi-platform reporting landscape had evolved over time: overlapping BI tools, duplicated datasets, and inconsistent dashboards across faculties and central functions. The BI team was spread thin supporting several platforms with similar functionality, while departments were building their own manual workarounds - slowing decision making and inflating licence and maintenance costs.
The University needed a pragmatic BI, reporting & analytics strategy that would simplify the estate, clarify ownership, and create a future-proof operating model that could scale with research, teaching and professional services needs.
BI services & platform harmonisation
We ran a comprehensive review of the University's BI services and platforms including technology, datasets, reports, dashboards and the operating model. The review was grounded in stakeholder workshops across academic departments and central services.
We captured goals per function, validated pain-points, and assessed gaps across process, people and technology dimensions. We recommended a streamlined platform strategy (consolidation where feasible), a modern, agile BI operating model with clear ownership, request & support pathways, and transparent backlog governance.
Finally, we delivered an executive playback of findings with a case for change, and a high-level roadmap prioritising quick wins (catalogue of rationalised key reports), foundation improvements (data governance, metadata and access clarity), and phased adoption milestones.
Lower run-costs and reduced manual tasks
- 30% lower run costs, simpler BI estate: consolidation path to reduce overlapping tools and unnecessary licences/maintenance
- 65% reduction in manual tasks, higher quality outputs: duplication and spreadsheet workarounds identified and significantly reduced or eliminated
- Faster, clearer decision-making: departments now know what data exists, where to access it and how to request changes or new reports
- Future ready BI service: a modern, data operating model with defined roles, clearer communication pathways, and a roadmap that evolves with academic and administrative needs
