Introduction
This information technology (IT) strategic plan is a product of collaborative thinking and planning by key leaders and support staff of IT services across the University of New Mexico (UNM). The challenge of the Strategic Plan Working Group was to coordinate the work of IT service providers and identify how to bring the greatest strategic value of IT to support the institution's vision, mission and goals. The Working Group envisions a future in which UNM's dynamic learning communities are facilitated by an integrated culture of established relationships, attitudes and exchanges in order to respond nimbly to the increasing need for IT to be available and reliable when needed.
In the summer and fall of 2005, with new financial data available from the Banner system for FY05, the IT Cabinet conducted an Environmental Scan of internal services. This included actual IT expenses and salaries across the University, perceptions of services, IT industry trends, State and University directions. The office of the CIO engaged a Whole Systems Strategic Planner, Carolyn Thompson, to facilitate sessions between January and March 2006 to begin the process. For the first time, an IT planning process was initiated that:
- Included North Campus and extended to the Branches
- Spanned all IT services - infrastructure, applications and end-user support
- Spanned IT consumers - academic, research, administration, health care and public service
- Engaged departments which have large IT components (Libraries, Broadcast, Extended U)
- Engaged these groups in execution as well as requirements and planning,
Therefore, this process represents an important beginning toward the integration of IT directions and projects with University directions and the budget process. The IT Plan Working Group consisted of representatives from CIRT, Telecom, University Libraries, Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center, University Hospital IT, High Performance Computing Center, Extended University and the Office of the CIO.
With input from the IT Governance Council (David Harris, Executive VP Administration; Reed Dasenbrock, Provost & EVP for Academic Affairs; Terry Yates, VP Research & Economic Development; and John Pieper, Associate VP, Health Sciences Center), the UNM and State published directions, surveys of individuals and groups across campus and industry trends, the strategies below were developed. Strategy owners were identified and implementation teams with individuals from across campus are being convened to define and plan the deliverables.
The Strategies identified in this 2006 process cover core IT processes provided by both central and distributed IT service units on campus. They are far-reaching and conceived to fit into a three-year planning cycle. Strategies address 1) technology in instruction, 2) infrastructure for research, 3) IT security, 4) sustainable funding for IT, 5) IT capacity and collaborations in the state, and 6) Coordinated IT governance and decision-making.
The process of creating and launching a UNM-wide IT strategic plan is in its infancy and will be refined with experience. It is important to gain endorsement of the strategies, initiatives and activities in concept, before detailed work plans and alignment take place. Following the approval of this plan, initiatives and activities identified will be prioritized with milestones, deliverables and timelines. Over the life of this plan, the strategies will be continuously reviewed, progress measured, and course corrections made according to lessons learned and evolving needs.