EDUCAUSE | Documents Contributed by ECAR and Cost Analysis or Assessment

So, What Does IT Cost?

drupal — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 09:30:50 -0500

In 2004, MIT and Stanford University began the Total Cost of IT project to measure, or at least estimate, the total cost of IT at those two institutions. This bulletin describes the project costing model, processes, and findings and the ways this model can be replicated on other campuses. It explains how to categorize spending, which questions to ask, how to manage and analyze results, and how to extract a meaningful picture of IT spending.

Chargebacks and Information Technology Funding

drupal — Fri, 04 Nov 2005 09:37:14 -0600

This research bulletin, which draws on research conducted by ECAR in 2004 on the state of information technology funding, examines how higher education uses chargebacks for funding IT. It is based on data from 472 chief information officers and 386 chief financial officers, as well as qualitative interviews and case studies. The bulletin focuses on the pressures that drive change in IT and where and how institutions use IT chargebacks. It also explores some emerging models that may suggest the future for technology chargebacks.

Assessing and Communicating the Value of IT

drupal — Mon, 01 Aug 2005 16:41:53 -0500

This research bulletin suggests methodologies for assessing, measuring, and communicating the value of information technology as a strategic asset in higher education. It covers approaches that can be adopted, or adapted, to demonstrate IT's value, including performance metrics and valuation models such as portfolio analysis, causal mapping, and multicriteria techniques.

Network Funding Models: Cornell University; University of California, San Diego; and University of Wisconsin–Madison

drupal — Fri, 04 Feb 2005 09:50:02 -0600

This multi-part case study examines three different approaches to building a sustainable network funding model. The cases focus on three complex research universities that use strategies that may be applicable in a variety of higher education environments. The institutions studied include Cornell University, the University of California, San Diego, and the University of Wisconsin--Madison.

IT Portfolio Management for Colleges and Universities: Balancing Risk/Return for Strategic Results

drupal — Tue, 01 Feb 2005 08:54:34 -0600

This research bulletin explores how institutions optimize their portfolio of information technology investments. Drawing from recent research conducted at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management among 130 CIOs, it explores how institutions decide which IT projects to fund and how they assess the costs and benefits of their investments. Do institutions intervene to improve the performance of IT investments that are not delivering on their promise, or are expensive IT investments allowed to languish without intervention?

Technology Assessment: Making Sure We Get It Right

drupal — Mon, 28 Oct 2002 17:10:56 -0600

Assessment is a critical tool for decision makers because it provides the basis for answering internal and external questions, including those dealing with accreditation, use of technology, or cost efficiencies. This Research Bulletin explains the purpose and value of assessment in higher education. It describes the current state of information technology assessment and suggests how campuses might carry out assessment programs.