Our Data Strategy

What is Our Data Strategy?

Our data strategy is a plan for managing and using data effectively to support making decisions and improve outcomes. At the University of Illinois System, our data strategy focuses on making data more accessible, secure, and useful. By strengthening data management, improving data literacy, and using analytics, we turn information into insights that drive innovation, enhance operations, and support student success.

Why Do We Need a Data Strategy?

Reliable, accessible data empowers us to make better decisions, streamline processes, and drive positive change. However, many staff members face challenges in accessing or trusting the data they need. Our data strategy is designed to overcome these obstacles by improving how data is managed, shared, and used across the university.

Since data passes through multiple teams and processes before it's used to make decisions, we need a clear, university-wide approach to managing it. A strong data strategy ensures that data is accurate, accessible, and useful for everyone.

Our approach goes beyond just improving technology—it fosters collaboration, provides training, and establishes clear processes for data management. By treating data as a shared asset, addressing existing challenges, and strengthening governance, we can enhance efficiency, support better decisions, and improve the university's ability to deliver reliable insights.

How is Our Data Strategy Being Implemented?

Our data strategy is being implemented through a comprehensive, systemwide effort to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency across the University of Illinois System by focusing on the following:

• Establishing clear roles, responsibilities, and practices around data governance to create consistent standards for responsible and effective data use across the universities.
• Introducing a core data model, starting with student data, to create a unified approach to data usage and insights that will drive better student outcomes.
• Integrating robust data privacy and security practices across all organizations within the system to ensure data is handled securely and in compliance with regulations.
• Improving the overall quality, access, and management of data by supporting ongoing efforts to ensure consistency, integrity, and usability. This will encourage a shift toward a data-informed culture, making data more accessible and actionable for all.
• Expanding data literacy across the university to foster a culture where data empowers individuals to make informed decisions and drive positive change.

For more information, please review the Data Strategy Program Executive Summary.