Top IT Projects Shaping HigherEd in 2024

Since the publication of this post, we have received questions about how we conducted our research. To create our Top 10, we scanned the content of 81 IT Project websites from North America and Europe. We did not look at institution websites for separate projects like: 

• https://www.uakron.edu/workday/
• https://lmsreplacement.usc.edu/

We only looked at current projects listed in the IT Projects section like:

• https://its.northeastern.edu/projects/
• https://www.du.edu/it/about/it-projects

When it comes to why we did not list one specific product while its competitors are listed, it’s simply the way universities chose to write their website content. As always, we offered an unbiased analysis based on data.

Original post:

As we step into a new year, we want to present IT priorities in HigherEd. These are the research results from more than 80 university websites across the globe. Let’s see what 2024 will look like.

Methodology

Unlike other media, which present a summary of a discussion by a few CIOs and other experts on what they believe to be the technological trends for the coming year, we compiled a list of IT projects for dozens of institutions. Over the past few weeks, we have assembled the current IT projects mentioned on 81 universities and colleges’ websites across North America and Europe. We have looked at institutions covering all enrollment bands. Also, while most of our sample institutions are public establishments, we also have included 13 private schools.

The IT projects found on the institutions’ websites were grouped by key themes. To be considered for this post, a theme must have been mentioned by at least 10% of the websites (eight institutions). Some universities have more than one project under a key theme. In this case, you will see the different projects separated by “//”.

List of IT Projects by Key Themes

Click on the down arrow sign to see the list of institutional project names.

IT Priorities Groupings and Explanations

1. Network and Security: Network Systems (34), Security (31)

With identity theft and cyber-attacks on the rise, universities, like other businesses with a large technological footprint, must prevent these attacks. Network upgrades and investments in security infrastructure are necessary to attain this goal.

2. Data and Storage: Data Management (17), Cloud Storage (14), Cloud Platforms (10), Document Management (8)

Universities are investing in cloud platforms and cloud storage to ensure that students and employees alike can work more efficiently in a more secure environment. Cloud storage projects are also linked to data management strategies to organize, secure, and utilize data assets. It aligns data practices with business goals, enhances data quality and security, and supports the organization’s ability to leverage data for innovation and competitive advantage.

3. Core Systems: Student Information Systems (18), Human Resource Systems (10), Financial Systems (10), Payroll Systems (8)

Student records, employee records, invoicing, and payrolls are vital IT systems needed to ensure smooth operations in Higher Education. With an average age of ten years for most of these systems, it is normal that 25-40% of universities are in the process of replacing or updating these systems each year.

4. Learning Perspectives: Learning Management Systems (20), Conferencing Systems (12), Video-Based Learning Platforms (9)

One of the key missions of any university is to provide the best learning experience to its students. Investing in learning management systems and online video infrastructures is necessary, especially since the pandemic hit.

5. Identity Management: Single Sign-On (25), Portals (8)

This grouping includes identity management and multi-factor authentication. Combined with network systems and security projects, single-sign-on projects ensure that the security of IT infrastructure is at its peak and that academic data is secure.

6. Productivity: Email Systems (12), Productivity Suites (10)

These days, it’s unthinkable to go a day without opening our e-mail or using one of our productivity tools, such as word processing, spreadsheets or presentation software. Even though these projects may seem less critical than those related to security, for example, they remain essential to an effective technological environment.

7. Website: Content Management Systems (19)

The majority of the projects that fall under these key themes are linked to website projects and upgrades to CMS software.

8. Help: Help Desk Systems (17)

As universities move into more complex technology environments, offering more computerized solutions, IT departments need to invest in accompanying solutions for technical support. In our sample, projects are very diverse, although implementation of new help desk systems are more numerous.

9. Analysis: Business Intelligence (10)

With the increase of data across all IT solutions, business intelligence software must continue to be a priority for universities and colleges. Not only do these systems allow managers to better allocate funds and resources, they enhance student experience with behavior and preference analyses and offer forecasting and planning information.

10. Relationship: Customer Relationship Management [CRM] (8)

Linked to many solutions and business processes, CRM systems allow universities to connect with students, alumni and donors. Investing in this software ensures that a better, more personalized communication strategy is implemented.

The Bonus: Accessibility Software (8)

With policies and regulations worldwide asking to ensure organization websites are more accessible for those with disabilities, universities have implemented, over the past decade, new WCAG standards. With the most recent version being adopted in October 2023, universities are moving forward to implement them.

How Does This Study Compare to the 2024 EDUCAUSE Top 10?

Although in previous years, the Educause Top 10 article title included “IT” in it, they always included business priorities that are not necessarily linked to IT departments. This year is no exception.

Furthermore, we have seen that priorities put forward by institutions sometimes matched their project roadmap.

Here is a side-by-side table of the Educause Top 10 and ours:

What Can We Learn From This Research?

Our study shows that IT project website data and the CIOs and IT directors highlight the same priorities for the most crucial IT projects. Cybersecurity, data management, and services to students are central to IT orientations for 2024. However, we notice that many IT priorities/issues in the Educause article are business ones. The difference seen from our research is that we get a more detailed view of what IT’s role is in executing the CIO’s vision.