Case Study

Reimagining a university’s future

How a university transformed its operating model for agility and efficiency

The Problem

Amid a global pandemic, a leading university faced a tight deadline to overhaul operations before the 2021 academic year.

The institution needed more than a surface-level reorganisation, it sought a strategic transformation to reshape its academic portfolio, enhance operational effectiveness, and build resilience for lasting success in an evolving education landscape.

Our Approach

We partnered with the university leadership to design a future-ready organisational structure and operating model focused on efficiency, clarity, and adaptability.

We reshaped the academic portfolio to align with priorities, streamlined resource allocation, removed bottlenecks, automated key processes, and established a clear roadmap to ensure alignment and manage change.

The Solution

Within five months and by the start of the 2021 academic year, the university had successfully transitioned to a simpler, more effective operating model.

Key outcomes included:

  • A streamlined academic portfolio that supported strategic priorities, promoted collaboration, consolidated faculties into a new simplified organisational structure, and delivered multi-million dollar cost savings

  • Enhanced governance and decision-making frameworks, which provided leadership with greater clarity, transparency, and control

  • Optimised academic and administrative processes that reduced inefficiencies and freed up time and resources for more strategic initiatives

  • Implementation of digital solutions that strengthened the operating model, including:

    • An academic workload tool: A data-driven approach to workload planning, ensuring transparency and consistency across faculties

    • An academic integrity management system: Automated compliance processes, reduced administrative burdens, and enhanced academic integrity

Problem Solved

This transformation was more than an organisational restructure - it was a bold step towards a stronger, more adaptable institution.

By putting the right structures, processes, and tools in place, the university is now well-positioned to navigate future challenges, respond to change with agility, and focus on delivering an outstanding academic experience. 

Beyond immediate efficiencies and cost benefits, the transformation created a scalable and resilient operating model that can evolve with the university’s needs.  The new structure provides the flexibility to adapt to sector changes, technological advancements, and shifting student expectations.

With enhanced governance, data-driven decision-making, and optimised workflows, the university is now better equipped to continuously refine its operations and academic offering in the years to come.

This transformation demonstrates that true organisational change is not just about restructuring processes and systems; it's about fostering a culture of adaptability and continuous improvement. By embedding a forward-thinking mindset and equipping leaders with the right tools, the university has created a foundation for sustained success, positioning itself as a leader in innovation and resilience in higher education.

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