Consulting: Futures and Scenario Modeling

At a time of rapid, systemic change, liberal arts campuses must plan strategically for institutional success and sustainability in the future. They must also prepare students—today’s and tomorrow’s—to succeed in that open-ended future. We help campuses develop strategies for envisioning and comprehending possibilities that have not yet happened. Then, we help them assess their current situations, strategize and make concrete plans with regard to information technology, understand the tools and solutions available now, and answer specific questions of concern.

Services | Consultant Profiles | Resources | Prediction Markets

FutureVisions

NITLE consultants lead campuses through a multi-step process to explore their visions for the future, make practical plans, and implement projects. FutureVisions begins with a live on-campus talk or panel presentation that opens exploration of an IT vision. A customized in-person engagement with a NITLE consultant follows and is designed to build a shared understanding of the articulated vision. The in-person engagement can be specialized by discipline or technology interest and involve a wide range of campus participants.

Outcomes are captured in written reports, making it easy to share them widely. Consultants supplement these reports with critiques, research, and suggestions for continuing discussion. Reports also reference similar interests, experiences, and initiatives at other NITLE Network member campuses.

Options

• NITLE writes recommendations and project plans tailored for the institution, working closely with groups, plans, and initiatives already in place, and developing new projects based on the FutureVisions engagement.
• NITLE provides implementation assistance in the form of technical expertise and project management.

StrategicVisions

NITLE consultants helps colleges assess the current state of information technology on campus and develop strategic plans for future development. StrategicVisions results either in a report with recommendations or an actual strategic plan document. Changes in campus leadership, an accreditation review, rethinking IT services and organization, or the expiration of an earlier strategic plan might be the occasion for this service.

The process starts with a review of existing documents and interview with executive administrators and committees. It then fans out to reach a wider constituency by means of focus groups and other meeting forums where further information is gathered and options are explored. Every NITLE consulting engagement includes benchmark references to best practices in higher education, with particular attention to the experiences of other NITLE Network campuses.

The heart of the consulting engagement is a written report or, optionally, a formal strategic plan for IT. The document is written in stages marked by draft review with the contact committee. The final step is an on-campus presentation and discussion of the finished document.

ResearchServices

ResearchServices offers custom-written reports addressing topics selected by NITLE Network member-clients. A consultant conducts an in-depth telephone interview to learn the questions and requirements and then conducts fresh research in preparation for a written report. News of initiatives and experience from other NITLE Network campuses and from NITLE programs are always included in these reports. Each report is peer-reviewed within NITLE’s staff to ensure the highest quality in content and presentation.