Information Services Newsletter
The Development of a New, Three-Year ICT Strategy

SUCCINCT (Strategy for Ulster’s Communication and Control of Information and Necessary Computing Technology) was first published in 2001. It was later revised and updated to cover the period up to 2005-06. The document included some 79 recommendations, expanded by another 10 in 2003. Of these, 58 have been implemented, 15 are partially implemented and only on 16 has little progress been made.

Achievements:

• the first explicit statement on University’s requirements in the “information age” and vital in securing funding from Government Departments, mainly DEL
• 82% of recommendations acted on
• sound framework for ICT planning in the University, especially if the work of the Information and ICT Strategy Committee (IICTSC) is taken into account
• included estimates which were revised and agreed annually by IICTSC, and which elicited support from senior committees
• reasonably far-sighted, helped by being updated after two years
• based on widespread consultation

A successor high-level ICT strategy must now be developed to cover the period 2006-07 to 2008-09. A small Revision Team, under the chairmanship of Professor Dave Bustard, has been formed to take this forward. The aim will be to produce a new strategy by the end of the current academic year. The method of approach will be:

• Review achievements and weaknesses of SUCCINCT 2000-01 to 2005-06 and re-assess its main themes
• Draft main principles and themes for 2006-07 to 2008-09
• Add detailed proposals in line with themes and principles
• Exchange information and consideration of the outline with external consultants
• Ensure best practice inside and outside HE is taken into account
• Consult staff and students using Focus Groups and/or the Technology Advisory Group
• Liaise with Business Process Change Group, with exchange of papers
• Draft strategy, establishing priorities and estimating costs
• Circulate final draft for comment to staff and students
• Take to Academic Development and Student Services Committee for approval and onward transmission through University structure

There will be consultation through workshops or focus groups, a re-designed website and a final draft document issued for comment in June. Ideas are welcome from all staff and students.

Consultants from the National Computing Centre will assist the Revision Team. The NCC has particularly close links with UK universities and is widely respected. Led by Nathan Jackson and Elaine Allison, the NCC team will concentrate on improving the Business Continuity-Disaster Plan. They will also review the skills and training needed to deliver the new strategy.

SUCCINCT has been a successful programme to date. I look forward to helping to produce, along with staff and students, a worthy successor.

Nigel Macartney