Edinburgh Napier University plays starring
role in AUA best practice guide
This year the AUA (Association of University Administrators) is publishing a Good Practice Guide, “An Introduction to Business Process Improvement for HE Administrators”.
The guide gives an overview of Business Process Improvement (BPI), covers tools and techniques to use, and gives a number of case studies to have a look at.
The report notes:
“BPI is an umbrella term for a number of methodologies that enable the re-engineering of business processes.
The most common terms used in Higher Education include: Lean, Lean Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement, Business Process Review (BPR), Business Improvement and Process Improvement.
These approaches help us to understand work as a process rather than a series of individual jobs and tasks. The methodologies help us understand how we can change the activities to make the work more effective and efficient.”
Here in Edinburgh Napier University Information Services has been leading on a number of Business Process Improvement activities.
One of this guide’s case studies is on work done with the Employer Mentoring team in Student and Academic Services. We’re also pleased to say the report names our IS staff member, Steve Yorkstone, as an expert in BPI.
Our case study tells the story of how a small team of people working to place students with relevant employer mentors approached redesigning their business processes, and implemented an improved way of working using SharePoint.
If you would like to read the full guide (and gain lots of other benefits, too!) you will need to join the AUA. The AUA exists to advance and promote professional recognition and development for all staff who work in professional service roles within higher education.
And if you would be interested in finding out more about Business Process Improvement here, do drop Steve a line on
s.yorkstone@napier.ac.uk.