Trust, collaboration and early value from SITS consultancy

What’s the problem with SITS? We’ll discuss it with you and offer options…

When something is not working well in SITS, most universities already have a fair idea where the problem lies. The challenge is usually not spotting that something is wrong. It is deciding what needs to change, what the best option is, and how to move forward in a way that is practical, proportionate and affordable.

That is the approach PS edtech takes, supported by the RGS team. We start from the assumption that the university understands its own pressures and priorities. We discuss the issues, test the options, challenge where needed, and help shape the most sensible way forward.

In practice, that means spending less time on unnecessary diagnosis and more time making progress. Where the proposed solution looks right, we help define it and move it forward. Where we think there is a better route, we will say so clearly and explain the alternative.

Sometimes that work may involve a broader review of an end-to-end process. Depending on what the institution needs, that might include business process mapping, flowcharting, or student journey mapping using a service design approach from the perspective of the student’s experience. That level of review is not always necessary before delivery can begin. In many cases, the issue is already well understood and the priority is to confirm the scope and get on with the work.

That was the case at Regent’s University London. The issues affecting the Summer School Programme application process were already well understood by the internal team and had been set out in their statement of work. PS edtech’s role during discovery was to review, clarify and challenge that scope pre-contract, acting as a critical friend throughout. By the time delivery started, the discovery activity had validated the requirement, the work package had been agreed, and the team could focus immediately on implementation.

The result was a tightly managed piece of work delivered at pace and in close collaboration with Regent’s colleagues. As Barbara Kaluza, Partnerships Business Manager, Regent’s University London, said:

“Partnering with the PS edtech team to restructure our Summer Study Abroad programme was a very smooth process. They translated our Statement of Work into clear, actionable deliverables and worked seamlessly within our SITS environment to meet every deadline. This success was driven by a truly collaborative approach, with regular check-ins and excellent teamwork with our Regent’s IT colleagues. The turnaround was impressively quick without ever compromising on quality, and we are happy with the result and the professionalism shown throughout.”

For universities looking at SITS challenges now, there’s a clear message. You do not always need to start with a long review exercise. If the issue is already understood, it may be possible to validate the scope quickly, agree a focused work package and move straight into delivery.

If you’re currently reviewing SITS challenges or considering changes ahead of the next academic cycle, it may be worth a conversation to sense-check scope and next steps.