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OXFORD BROOKES
UNIVERSITY
AN INTENSIVE PROGRAMME ASSURANCE REVIEW

MainStreet was asked to undertake an independent assurance review of Oxford Brookes University’s (OBU) Student Record System (SRS) Programme. The aim of the review was to provide an assessment of a high-risk and complex programme’s progress towards its planned go-live, including consideration of whether it was still fit for purpose, resourced correctly, and likely to deliver the benefits profiling as articulated in the original business case.

We conducted our work over a two-week period at the University’s Headington Campus.  We analysed over 20 SRS programme documents and spoke to forty key staff members: interviewees were told that their comments would not be attributed, ensuring that opinions on the SRS programme would be candid.

Our final report was received well by senior staff at OBU, who have implemented our recommendations on revised governance, resourcing and transition planning in full.

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“The MainStreet team did exactly what I expected and hoped they would do, and did it very effectively.  Their approach clearly made staff happy to communicate openly and be candid about some of their concerns.  This was a great positive for the report, which our colleagues accepted as a solid, evidenced and fair observation on what was being done and the manner in which changes are being  introduced.”

Seamus Shaw
CIO
Oxford Brookes University

UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS LONDON
PROCUREMENT OF STUDENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

MainStreet supported the University of the Arts London (UAL) with its procurement and implementation of new Student Information Systems. Our work included the delivery of a detailed 9-month plan, drafting the relevant documentation (PQQ, ITPD, ISFT), and the design and leading briefings on the Competitive Dialogue process for key stakeholders. We led the dialogue sessions with senior academic and administrative staff and helped the University evaluate suppliers before appointment. We subsequently supported the mobilisation and implementation efforts.

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“We enjoyed working with the MainStreet team. Their experience, expertise and advice really helped us make an informed decision on replacement of our records system. And they were great to work with: reassuring, flexible and good fun throughout.”

Peter Watson
Academic Registrar

MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
STRATEGIC PROCUREMENT ADVISORS – STUDENT JOURNEY TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME

MMU initially invited MainStreet to undertake an options appraisal on how best to procure a technical supplier to its Student Journey Transformation programme. We supported the University to identify the most appropriate ways of commissioning that long-term support, recognising MMU’s desire to move quickly.

We were subsequently engaged by the University to run the near six-month procurement exercise: covering a range of activity including programme planning, supplier due diligence, pre-tender market engagement, documentation development, assessment design and pre-contract debriefing.

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“MainStreet were a key procurement partner for our student journey transformation programme. Their guidance, support and true partnership approach proved invaluable before during and after the key procurement processes.”

Andrew Kemp
Programme Director Student Journey Transformation Programme
Manchester Metropolitan University

DONALDSON'S
SCHOOL
OUTLINE DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING OF THE 'TRANSITIONS' PROJECT

As part of Donaldson’s School ‘Future Strategy’ initiative, the Chief Executive Officer and Chair of Board of Trustees asked MainStreet to assist with outline planning for its ‘Transitions’ project. This project focuses on young people aged between 14 and 19 (most of whom have learning disabilities, Autistic Spectrum Disorder or communications difficulties) to facilitating their successful integration into mainstream learning, employment and other destinations in their own localities.

MainStreet supported the Strategic Management Team (SMT) and Board to assess options and prepare the project approach that allowed development of a business plan for submission to the Scottish Government, and the subsequent guidance on commissioning.

The initiative has subsequently been launched as #JunX10n – http://www.donaldsons.org.uk/junx10n/

UNIVERSITY
OF HULL
PROCUREMENT OF STUDENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

As part of a wider technology refresh at the University, MainStreet led the development of a business case and subsequent Competitive Dialogue procurement of £5m of new Student Information Systems. Lead director David Welsh worked with over 60 senior academics, technical and support staff on the full procurement lifecycle.

The University appointed a preferred supplier at the end of the process and has subsequently undertaken a technical discovery stage and begun the phased implementation of a range of software modules designed to deliver a ‘recruitment to alumni relations’ solution for the institution.

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“This was a terrific procurement exercise: very well-planned and managed, built on robust analysis and communicated across many stakeholders at the University. It was also a pleasure working with David and his team: they were personable, unflappable and good fun throughout. I would happily work with them again.”

Brian Pundyke
Core Systems Refresh Director
University of Hull

(MMU) MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
PROCUREMENT OF A
CAMS SOLUTION

MMU asked MainStreet to help it identify and procure a Curriculum and Approval Management System (CAMS) solution, providing end-to-end workflows for approval, maintenance and change of curriculum content. It would also include resource modelling capacity to support a taught curriculum which integrates efficiencies into overall design and structure.

The University want to progress with a formal procurement at speed, aligning with wider programme delivery timescales for summer 2020: as such, the intention is to procure a solution through an appropriate framework arrangement by the beginning of that year.

MainStreet’s role was to explore and comment on the various procurement options available to MMU (recognising the scope of what it wanted to achieve, recognising requirements for robustness and speed), and to facilitate tender preparation, issue, evaluation and award. Throughout MainStreet assisted MMU to make its procurement decision with solid evidence.

Following a successful six-month engagement, the University appointed a partner via the GCloud 11 process and embark on its implementation programme.

SHINE
BUSINESS PLAN DEVELOPMENT

The Schools Health and Wellbeing Research Network (SHINE) is a partnership between the University of Glasgow and the University of St Andrews. SHINE measures the health and well-being of young people in Scotland.  They commissioned MainStreet to conduct an objective external assessment of their current operating model and identify a long-term business plan with integrated financial model to support future growth and sustainability of the SHINE network.

In undertaking the work we:

  • Interviewed 23 stakeholders from 14 organisations
  • Analysed SHINE’s external environment
  • Carried out a market analysis of other providers
  • Worked with SHINE officers to develop a new vision, mission and underlying objectives
  • Identified SHINE’s USPs, the future product offerings and pricing structure
  • Carried out a financial analysis of their current income and expenditure and, based on future demand scenarios and staffing, developed future projections
  • Analysed the risks facing SHINE
  • Made recommendations on the governance of SHINE
  • Developed an action plan for implementation of the new operating model.

The SHINE senior management team were very pleased with the work and have started implementing our recommendations.

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