Client Background

A public research university founded in 1855 and located in East Lansing, Michigan, that serves as a model for land-grant universities.

Business Challenge

With an eye to the future, the university was uncertain about its approach to data reporting, analytics, technology and resources. They were seeking guidance and a strategy to address their:

• Use of data for reporting and analytics and if it was positioned for the future
• Reporting initiatives that were running over budget and not delivering the expected results
• Technology footprint and identify one that would support their future data and analytics needs
• Current team and resources needed to achieve future goals

The Baker Tilly Approach

The Baker Tilly team conducted:

• A comprehensive review of their current data analytics capabilities across 30 dimensions
• An analysis and readout of their data analytics strategy to key sponsors
• An assessment of their current staff and review of individual skill sets

Business Impact

• Recommendation document focused on outlining and structuring the appropriate data analytics initiatives to better align with the business objectives of the university’s various departments
• The roadmap and analysis helped to justify the expense the university was incurring to build the foundational reporting data structures
• The roadmap outlined key resource requirements that would be needed along with recommendations on the right mix of full-time and part-time employees.  This allowed the university to better plan for future expected resource costs and design a resource plan that would allow them to be flexible and help control costs.