Boosting Analytics Capacity with Shared Services: A Collaborative Approach

Session Abstract: In today’s higher education environment, budget cuts, hiring freezes, and reductions in force (RIFs) are increasingly common. Many institutional research offices are facing the challenge of maintaining analytic capacity and timely reporting while doing more with less. This session explores an innovative approach used by presenters at Duke University and the University of New Mexico to sustain institutional analytics capacity through shared service agreements and collaborative resource pooling across campus units. Participants will learn how to identify complementary skills across departments, negotiate shared service agreements, and implement a framework that maintains high-quality data services while reducing individual unit burdens. Through case examples and lessons learned, this session will provide actionable insights for maintaining or expanding capacity, even in the face of staffing reductions and constrained budgets.

Keywords: Shared Services, Resource Management, Resource Planning, Collaboration