Strategy 4: Position IT as a strategic resource for UNM and the state
Position IT as a strategic resource for UNM and the state in a way that acquires funding required to grow and sustain those strategic IT services.
The Rationale for this Strategy
Technology investments require that funding be available to manage the resources (human and technical) that underpin current academic and administrative processes. The challenge for IT management, central and distributed, across the University is to manage the costs of these investments by maximizing the benefits, institution-wide. The IT investment includes human, capital, facility and commodity resources. These investments need to be efficiently procured and managed, and also sustained with adequate funding. At the same time, IT partners across the university are seeking strategic use of new technologies to advance the academic, research and service missions of a major public institution, as well as funding resources from the State and the institution to support them.
Link to UNM's Mission and EVP's Areas of Strategic Focus
- The University moves forward in its academic programs, student support services, and other operations by encouraging and rewarding creativity and initiative among faculty, staff, and students.
- At the University, we value excellence in our people, in our programs, in our facilities. We have a responsibility to encourage and develop excellence among our faculty, staff and students. We are committed to be leaders.
- Integrity and ethical, professional behavior by all individuals associated with UNM are essential in order for students, faculty, staff and the public to have trust in the University.
Definition of Success
* IT human and financial resources and services are leveraged across the University;* IT hardware and software commodity purchases are configured so that services can be improved and resources maximized.
* Recurring funding sources are appropriately applied across UNM;
* Recurring funding is available to sustain and develop IT across UNM;
* UNM can speak with one voice for additional IT funding to state and legislative processes.
Conditions Necessary to Achieve Success
There are several conditions that must be achieved for the success of this strategy.
- The first is a more integrated and collaborative IT governance structure (see Strategy 6) that helps the institution make better decisions with respect to priorities and IT investments, throughout all levels of IT services, specifically addressing the shorter life cycle. When that happens, it will be easier for the Executive VPs to support the idea of IT funding based on value received.
- The second is an analysis and justification of how IT adds value and increases the institution's ability to accomplish its mission and initiatives. Consequently, executive leadership will support sustainable funding plans and lead the institution through these changes. Communication plays a large part in this.
- Commitment on developing comprehensive IT human resource plans to include recruitment, development through technical, project leadership and managerial levels for IT functions across the University.
Strategy Owner
Bill Adkins (ITS Support Services)
Strategy Implementation Team Members
Richard Adcock (HS Library and Informatics Ctr)
Mark Chisholm (Institutional Research)
Jane McGuire (Planning & Communication)
Diane Lee Solomon (Athletics Business Office)
Dale Stephan Hendrickson (University Libraries)
Ava Lovell (Assoc VP for Finance Admn Office)
Andrew Cullen (Budget Office)
Ronald Margolis (Is-Admin & Oversight)
Strategic Initiatives
| Initiative | Description | Owner | |
| 4A | IT Cost Analysis to develop a sustainable funding plan for IT | Develop an in-depth cost study for ITS services... | Diane Lee Solomon (Athletics Business Office) |
| 4B | Nurture legislative support for IT | Improve IT's relationship with legislators: find synergies with state intiatives, gain support for UNM IT initiatives on campus and in the legislature, collaborate with other higher ed institutions statewide.... | Moira Gerety (ITS Computing Services) |
| 4C | Reorient ITS toward a service-based organizational model | Realign the CIO area, budgets, services and service levels to improve services provided by central IT.... | Arthur Bernard Maccabe (Computer Science) |
| 4D | Human Resource plan for all IT staff, managers and teams | Develop a University wide plan for IT human resources that addresses skills, retention, recruitment, compensation and career paths.... | Lynn Ribble (UNM Medical Group Administration) |
| 4E | IT Commodity Purchasing | Identify recommended hardware and software and efficient processes through which they can be purchased across the university.... | Ivan Boyd (ITS Computing Services) |
Measures of Success
- IT component incorporated into UNM project planning, including grant proposals.
- ITS budget does not carry any deficit.
- New sources for funding IT initiatives, both capital and recurring, are identified and secured.
- IT components are built into all new construction project budgets and spent accordingly.
- Job codes for IT personnel are consistent (harmonized) throughout the university system.
- Baseline IT salaries are plus or minus 5% of market rates.
- Increased legislative funding for IT initiatives are secured.
- Improved customer satisfaction with IT services.