3x3x3 - a framework for institutional transformation initiatives

This keynote was given at the Sydney Business Learning and Teaching Forum and centred on three case studies framed by a 3x3x3 approach to transformation projects. The University of New England is on a journey - a path to transform its physical and virtual footprint to ensure long term stability and sector leadership as the #1 rural, regional and remote university in Australia and, recalibrate its position as a leading global hyflex distance university. Intentional digital transformation provides a measured approach to make this happen. Balancing, uplifting and innovating UNE’s educational offerings form a key part of realising the strategic intent outlined in the UNE decadal Future Fit strategy. These are critical components in the realisation of the three leading goals of (1) personalised learning journeys, (2) community empowerment and (3) building resilience. 

Exploring a future focussed framework for institutional digital transformation from Steven Warburton

 

How? Three complementary actions and approaches:

1. Co-creation, prioritisation and testing. UNE and the EPEF (Executive Principal Education Futures) portfolio have already set in place a proven framework that ideates, critiques and prioritises digital activities and charts these clusters in a digital roadmap (or master schedule). These clusters include a mix of external facing initiatives and improvements as well as capability building, systems integration and culture change enablers for UNE.
2. Design thinking led approaches. Design thinking is at the core of any successful shift to a digital organisation. This requires specialist capabilities (being developed within the EPEF portfolio) with experience in managing the cultural transformation to successfully introduce and embed these skills more broadly as UNE evolves.
3. Reflecting on and evaluating success. Using the concepts associated with digital maturity models, UNE is being compared against local and pre-existing international benchmarks (e.g., ACODE, PwC, JISC) across: digital products; overall CX/UX; mobility and analytics; the UNE target digital operating model; digital architecture and; workforce capabilities. The resulting insights are providing triggers for collaborative action across the EPEF portfolio and relevant divisions and Faculties.

When? Three overlapping activity horizons are the focus for the UNE digital roadmap:

1. Match Fit (now). Laying the organisational capability and systems integration foundations for digital success. Resolving high priority user experience problems. Key project clusters here include (a number in progress through the current EPEF): a distributed innovation hub (‘UNE Solve’); ‘UNE Digital’ team uplift; a lean BAU model for core infrastructure and target digital operating model; Learning Management System renewal; OLX refinement; academic calendar reset.
2. Leverage (near to mid). Capitalise on the foundations set in horizon one to deliver accelerated teaching and learning and research outcomes. Deliver scaled solutions. Key projects here include: embedding Internet of Behaviours, maturing learning analytics; adaptive learning; building agile; AI and robotic automation led business rationalisation.
3. Innovate (longer). Capitalise on the agile and digital capability that UNE and EPEF portfolio has built to respond to as yet unknown changes in the education sector. Key projects here include: the UNE distributed future campus (a seamless hybrid/hyflex smart campus that crosses industry and university, welcomes VET partners and expands learning commons and knowledge boundaries); macro and micro credentials co-designed with industry partners; advanced digital technology hub to test disruptive incoming edtech.