Supporting an Innovative Curriculum in a Traditional HE Environment. Developing a winning strategy to support change at Staffordshire University

Abstract

Universities have a recognised need to react to a changing environment, from changes in the economy to government initiatives with a focus on widening participation. There is acknowledged need for them to adapt to changing environment by taking a new approach to course/ product development. Staffordshire University has embraced this changing environment, developing a strategy to support the changing nature of Curriculum Design, by using a project called Enable (JISC Funded 2008 - 2012). The University is focused on how it can manage this change, including using a holistic Enterprise Architecture approach to model Curriculum Design as it is now, and how it wishes it to be. The models will act as a strategic roadmap for the transformation of the University’s approach to Curriculum Design encompassing business processes but also the information and IT that supports them. This paper focuses on how Staffordshire University has investigated private sector strategies and applied them to HE, it mentions the challenges that have been considered and the opportunities HE has to move to more agile management. The paper ends by discussing the pilot of an executive programme office for the University and its perceived benefits.