BIO Whitepapers
The following whitepapers highlight some of the BIO’s projects and initiatives that have enhanced operational efficiency, optimized processes, and mitigated risk across campus.
Empowering the Athletics Department Through Facilitated Workshops
The BIO assisted the Athletics Department leadership in translating their high-level 5-year strategic plan into a concrete, executable roadmap by identifying and prioritizing the necessary initiatives.
Project Details
Approach
The BIO facilitated brainstorming workshops focused on:
- Project identification
- Initiative characterization and prioritization
- Strategic roadmap development
Key Benefits
- Provided cost savings and improved decision support
- Enhanced organizational clarity and risk mitigation for stagnation
- Accelerated action for prioritized projects
Enhancing Operational Efficiency at the Disability Resources Testing Center
The BIO helped the DR Testing Center to complete a comprehensive process assessment to address operational challenges impacting space, exam organization, and scheduling that arose from an increase in student volume.
Project Details
Approach
The comprehensive process assessment included:
- On-site observations and interviews
- Benchmarking via outreach to peer institutions
- Data synthesis and recommendations presented in an actionable report
Key Benefits
- Enhanced operational efficiency
- Improved service quality
- Informed decision-making
Modernizing Campus Parking: The P&TS RFx Advising Project
To mitigate challenges with outdated parking infrastructure, technologies, and processes, the BIO partnered with Parking & Transportation Services (P&TS) to identify a solution to modernize CMU campus parking and permit management.
Project Details
Approach
Collaboration with cross-functional teams included:
- Initial project planning and providing ongoing strategic advice
- Vendor discovery and procurement facilitation (RFI and RFP phases)
- Requirements definition based on vendor insight and established university needs
Key Benefits
- Informed decision-making for strategic vendor selection
- Provided risk mitigation and comprehensive documentation for future reference
- Fostered cross-departmental alignment and increased efficiency
Operationalizing Data Analytics: The OHR Data Franchise Needs Assessment
The BIO executed the Data Analytics Franchise Model Needs Assessment in partnership with the Office of Human Resources to establish a repeatable procedural framework for the university’s data analytics strategy.
Project Details
Approach
- Data gathering via stakeholder interviews
- In-depth data analysis and prioritization
- Creation of a standardized playbook serving as a reusable guide
Key Benefits
- Established a repeatable process
- Delivered an actionable roadmap and enhanced understanding of data
- Fostered cross-campus alignment and capacity
Optimizing Academic Operations: The Tepper Operational Playbook Project
The BIO executed a process analysis and developed the Tepper Operational Playbook to provide enhanced clarity and efficiency of the Tepper School of Business's complex academic processes.
Project Details
Approach
- Meticulous process documentation and analysis
- Development of actionable recommendations
- Creation of the Tepper Operational Playbook
Key Benefits
- Enhanced operational efficiency
- Proposed solutions for data inconsistencies and systemic discrepancies
- Established a clear blueprint for subsequent system development