Upgrading Their Legacy Systems
The challenge Vanderbilt faced is similar to that of many other higher education institutions: Leaping from antiquated mainframe technology to a modern cloud-based solution.
Your Guide To A Successful Cloud Implementation
When Vanderbilt University wanted to increase productivity and modernize its enterprise systems on campus, university leaders worked with Huron to implement SkyVU, a cloud-based platform that combines the university’s business, financial, HR, budget and planning systems.
Follow along on their cloud journey and discover the top lessons they learned from their cloud implementation.
SkyVU Mission Statement
Securing commitment from an executive sponsor was a key factor for Vanderbilt’s cloud transformation. The SkyVU mission statement was evidence of the dedication and support from all levels of the university:
Support Vanderbilt University’s academic mission by modernizing its financial, administrative and research support systems.
Consolidating Multiple Systems
SkyVU was the internal Vanderbilt brand for the cloud initiative and the vehicle through which dozens of separate administrative systems were consolidated into one, comprehensive cloud-based platform.
The Nine Most Important Lessons Vanderbilt Learned During Its Cloud Implementation Journey:
1
Gain buy-in to the cloud philosophy with your stakeholders
Academic and Administrative
School and Department
2
Lead the change with a clear vision, mission and guiding principles for the transformation
Generate Sponsorship for Change
Establish and Communicate Business Case for Action
Reinforce Goals with Rewards and Recognition Systems
3
Create change networks for collaboration at every stage of implementation
Business Partners:
Partner through the discovery phase
Change Leaders:
Advocate for the project and transformation
Change Liaisons:
Provide ongoing communication and feedback
4
Receive executive engagement and support throughout the project’s lifecycle
Focus on the value of the project
Highlight benefits it will bring
Communicate the major changes that will occur
5
Prepare for how cloud will change business processes
Speed: Fast-paced processes can be overwhelming
Implementation Lifecycle: Highly iterative and can make decisions harder to revisit
Learning: Stakeholders must learn quickly
6
Form cross-functional groups for challenging topics
Avoid siloed design
Engage broader audience
Serve as change agents
7
Evaluate the need for any remaining legacy systems
Evaluation Criteria:
Understand purpose, number of users impacted and alternatives
Evaluation Process:
Make business case and get executive approval
Communication Decisions:
Contact system owners, administrators and users with decisions
8
Build an inventory of all the business processes being transformed as part of the cloud project
Configuration
Testing
Training
9
Engage with your product vendor for resources and tools
Product Development:
Understand purpose of product design
Service Requests Management:
Learn protocol for refreshes and patching
