Integrated Services

Broadly, Integrated Services: Benchmarking HR and Corporate Services involve transactional services across corporate functions moving under one line management structure over a period of time, resulting in efficiency savings through process and system improvements, multi-skilling of staff and economies of scale in administrative activities.

One of the key requirements in moving towards Integrated Services is the ability to measure the efficiency gains being realized. In the university sector there is limited data sharing, which is necessary in order to allow measurement and comparison activity such as benchmarking.

Benchmarking of how member universities' Corporate Administrative Services are delivered will benefit the members of the IARU. By comparing performance, each University can learn from the strengths of the group, derived from validated and objective analysis. It would be logical to develop an approach that would benchmark performance in key areas including HR, and IT Systems. Factors to benchmark will be defined, allowing IARU members to agree consistent criteria and could include elements such as productivity, cost, speed, customer service in context of efficiency and effectiveness of operations.

The workshop on 5 May 2010 was designed and facilitated by Dr Mohan Guruswamy. Facilitation was provided by Ms Rebecca McIntosh from the University of Cambridge.