Administrative Effectiveness Index for Higher Ed
Uncover critical performance gaps in your institution's operational efficiency and gain a clear, strategic path forward
Hidden inefficiencies in college and university administrative units create drag that undermines performance, especially as chief business officers (CBOs) navigate lean budgets and limited staff. Identifying the most critical of these gaps in effectiveness can be difficult and time-consuming, given complex and varied administrative structures.
Furthermore, CBOs often don’t have a clear vision of what ‘great’ performance looks like or the steps needed to get there. And many higher leaders who participate in traditional administrative benchmarking engagements complain that they ultimately end in no change to resource utilization or organizational structure—wasting already scarce time and resources.
Introducing the Administrative Effectiveness Index
To help cabinets, chief business and finance officers, and administrative units tackle operational inefficiencies, EAB created the Administrative Effectiveness Index. This service will:
- Quickly and comprehensively assess 19 critical business capabilities against best practice
- Deliver a tailored, prioritized roadmap of strategic investments and development opportunities to strengthen functional maturity
- Drive consensus and calibrate perceptions among executive leadership by providing a shared understanding of administrative performance and opportunities for outsized impact
- Provide clarity to boards and stakeholders and strengthen strategic planning by aligning administrative priorities with mission and student success goals
The survey-based experience collects feedback from your senior leaders and key administrative staff and takes 45 minutes or less for each participant to provide input. Based on the survey data, we then provide a prioritized roadmap of development opportunities that have a disproportionate impact on organizational performance, and importantly, are within reach.
We also provide ongoing support through your EAB partnership to make progress on these top business priorities and sustain momentum within your institution’s unique organizational dynamics.
Measure 19 critical capabilities across four dimensions
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Data and operations
Sample capabilities:
- Manage enterprise data
- Design and manage administrative service models
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Talent management
Sample capabilities:
- Manage staff performance
- Design and communicate employee value proposition
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Financial management
Sample capabilities:
- Align budget model to strategy and mission
- Develop budget owner financial literacy
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Facilities management
Sample capabilities:
- Manage long-term master plan
- Prioritize and manage capital renewal projects
Ready to sign up?
If you are a Strategic Advisory Services partner and are interested in participating in the Administrative Effectiveness Index, log in and fill out the form below. For questions, please email your Strategic Leader or [email protected].
If you’re not yet a partner, learn more about Strategic Advisory Services.
Interested in the Administrative Effectiveness Index?
Fill out the form and we'll follow up with next steps. If you have questions, please contact [email protected].