What’s the impact of Data Futures on Institutions?  

There are several significant changes to the way Data Futures will impact institutions from 2023. For example, instead of 1 collection per academic year, there will be 3, meaning that institutions will need to ensure the veracity of their data on an ongoing basis as opposed to a 1 time only, static, annual event. Coding and data structures have changed, indeed, in the recently updated Data Futures Coding Manual, there are brand new fields, some no longer in use and many that have been remapped or changed. As well as frequency and data changes, the platform used to submit data to HESA has been upgraded, with a new HESA Data Platform currently in Beta testing.  

What does this actually mean though? 

Well, it means institutions have work to do! Getting ready for HESA Data Futures involves looking at data collection, architecture, storage, governance and all the associated processes that support the delivery, cleansing and submission of data. With new data collection fields, institutions will need to work out if they already have the data somewhere, or whether they need to start collecting it. To help with this, HESA have provided a useful model which clarifies where the data collection format has changed.  

What should we do next? 

Get your institution registered on HESA’s BETA test phase 

Complete the HESA Data Futures e-Learning training at https://www.hesa.ac.uk/services/e-learning/data-futures-training which is also CPD-accredited. Send it to you all your data focused stakeholders across the institution so they understand the new Data Futures world and its potential impact on the way they will be asked to collect and submit information. 

And, if you are still having trouble, Equantiis can help you! We love talking all things HESA and Data Futures so if you need some support with the transition to Data Futures, or you want to use intelligent automation to transfer data from disparate technologies and departments into your HESA/Data Futures tool, or if it’s simply that you need a sharp review of your current data maturity or data governance practices, we are here and ready to serve.   

Author 

Melody Askari is a Principal Consultant with 20 years’ experience in the Higher Education sector. Melody heads up the HE practice at Equantiis. They are a team of Digital and Technology specialists with real world industry experience who happily spend their days supporting institutions as they make incremental and large scale digital and technology changes.   

 Email: melody.askari@equantiis.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melody-askari/  

Website: equantiistag.wpengine.com 

Mobile: +44 7426 470752