How The University of Alberta Fundamentally Reimagined Its Operating Model In Just Two Years

As higher education budgets tighten, leaders increasingly look to make administrative operations more efficient. However, EAB’s assessment of more than 25 institutions on the maturity of their core business functions shows a clear gap between the appetite for better models and the ability to execute changes. Although most consider designing and managing administrative service models a top priority, 77% say it is one of their weakest capabilities.

Administrative service model design challenges often stem from a history of siloed growth without correction for role duplication and inefficient processes. This was the case for the University of Alberta, where administrative services operated in decentralized silos for over 100 years before the need for transformation became urgent.