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January Update

Message from the Programme Director

Message from the Programme Director

Last Updated 17th January 2024

Dear Colleagues, 

Welcome to the first POST update of 2024. I hope you had a restful break and are excited to continue supporting transformative change throughout UCD in 2024. 

Over the coming weeks, POST will be focused on mobilising more of the projects approved for 23/24. In this issue, we introduce you to some of them and provide updates on some of the established projects.  We will also continue our conversations with those driving these changes, giving an insight into the scale and variety of what is happening.

The POST team, working with our colleagues in Agile and in Organisational Change, support projects through a standardised approach and toolkit which has been created for use in UCD initiatives and projects. Common toolkits are a great way to do two things - create more coherence in what we get from change through using a common approach, and through this common approach making it easier to start and progress a project. The toolkit brings together several methodologies including change management, project management, service design and benefits management. More information about the toolkit and its rollout will be shared over the coming weeks.  

In the meantime, if you have any questions about the content of this update or any ideas you would like to share then please do not hesitate to get in touch at (opens in a new window)ucdpostpmo@ucd.ie.

Regards, 

Michael

Projects in Focus

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Supporting the Changing Needs of Students
Supporting the Changing Needs of Students

This discovery project is focused on understanding and addressing the needs of a growing proportion of students whose requirements are not currently catered to by existing University processes, policies, and systems. Through an in-depth collaboration with staff who support these students, we aim to identify common challenges and to develop a comprehensive, tailored plan for uplifting and enhancing their journey through UCD.
We are excited to announce that a Project Manager has now been recruited for this project. With resources in place, the immediate focus is on mobilisation. Click here to view the project profile for more information.
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University CRM
University CRM

The University CRM project has completed the first project phase of scoping and design. Building the system will now begin, along with work to ensure that it integrates with the other systems that we use in UCD. The project team have completed Salesforce training in early January in advance of this next phase.
Planning for user training on the CRM system is underway, with customised training pathways to be developed on the basis of individual and team needs. The training will be delivered via a number of channels, such as in-person introductory workshops, self-paced eLearning, microlearning resources and in-app walkthrough guides.
Click here to view the University CRM website for more information.

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Finance Programme for Operations and Services Transformation (FinPOST)
Finance Programme for Operations and Services Transformation (FinPOST)

The programme team is working closely with our system implementation partners to prepare for the design phase. From February onwards, the design phase will enable us to collaborate with groups from across the University in designing our new finance system and processes, to meet UCD’s needs. This will be a busy and exciting time for the programme as we move forward in the new year.
Click here to visit the FinPOST website for more information. You can also contact the programme team at finpost@ucd.ie.

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Enabling Employee Engagement & Internal Communications
Enabling Employee Engagement & Internal Communications

This project aims to enhance communication and engagement across the University’s community of 4,500 employees, helping to bring the University’s values to life. An Employee Engagement Platform has been selected and will be implemented in advance of the 2024/ 2025 academic year. Click here to view the project profile in full.
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Service Segment Video Update
Service Segment Video Update

This month, we kick-start our regular video updates with an update from the Teaching Service Segment. Click here to watch Service Lead, Jeremy Britton discuss the segment strategy and provides brief updates on some of the projects from across the segment.

People in Focus

Mark Hargaden
Mark Hargaden

This month, we talk with IT Project Manager, Mark Hargaden about the technology component of the Finance Programme for Operations and Services Transformation (FinPOST). Click here to read the conversation full.

Martin Hurley
Martin Hurley

Admissions Business Lead, Martin Hurley talks with us about the University CRM project. We discuss the creation of a new applications system as part of this project and his role in its design, development, and implementation. Click here to read the conversation in full.

Dr Nuria Garcia Ordiales
Dr Nuria Garcia Ordiales

This month, we also talk with School Manager for the School of Mathematics and Statistics, Dr Nuria Garcia Ordiales, about the Enabling Services Segment. Click here to read the conversation in full.