Welcome
to newSRSnews Issue 1!
You
asked for more information on the new Student Records System, and in response
this is the first issue of a newsletter to keep you up-to-date on the latest
reports, training news, and what the newSRS can do for you. Please
visit our constantly updated web-site, with its on-line glossary and much more.
In this first issue we would like to share the results from the needs
assessment survey conducted in December 1997.
To find out more:
wwwnews.sis.utoronto.ca is our web site. We
would really appreciate feedback: [log in to unmask]
The
Survey Says...
In order to make this
fall's transition to the newSRS as smooth as is humanly (and
computerly) possible, a Needs Assessment Survey was conducted. The approximately
650 people who will be using the newSRS were asked to give
feedback on their needs, concerns and questions regarding the new system. With
this update, we would like to share the survey results. We would also like to
thank the users for their outstanding level of participation. Over sixty
percent of the users responded, taking the time to write out thoughtful and
very helpful comments.
As the hundreds of surveys
came in, responses, of course, ranged from eager excitement about getting new
technology to mortal terror (about getting new technology). For the most part,
however, there were three things that everybody seemed to want to know:
"Will the new system allow me to do all of the department or
division-specific things that I need to do? Will you (please! please!) make
sure that the training is well-planned and effective? And will the implementation
and training schedules take into account when my busiest times are, and the
importance, to me, of remaining a relatively sane human being?"
The
survey responses show that the users of the system simply want to feel
confident that the newSRS can handle their needs and that the
transition will inflict upon them the minimum amount of pain.
This newsletter, the newSRS
news web site and the Information Advisories have been set up in the belief that
the more the users know about the process of planning the new system and the
process of planning the transition, the better they will feel about it all.
The teams working on
modifying this system--which is running successfully at the University of
Ottawa--to the specific needs of U of T, in all its diversity, are composed not
just of SIS and contract developers, but of real U of T users drawn from
divisions across the university. Additional users from the divisions
participate in the work of these teams by testing portions of the system and
providing feedback.
The
survey confirmed as well that no matter how good the new system is, excellent
training is absolutely crucial. The Project Team has, for this reason, begun
planning of the training process well in advance. The feedback indicates that
users want hands-on training, with lots of real examples; they want to be
trained with their specific needs in mind; they want comprehensive user's guides
(with frequently asked questions) and quick reference sheets; they want
excellent indexing, and simple, clear language, with no more jargon than is
necessary.
Timing,
as in all things, will also be very important. Training should be timed
carefully (not months and months before it can be applied) and spread out (e.g.
half days rather than full) in order to prevent disruption of workflow.
In the same vein, many
people wondered if the system itself would come on line at a carefully chosen
time. The answer is yes (part on Oct 19, part on Nov 30, and the last bit in
January 1999). More information on the timing can be found on the newSRS
news web site, as can other frequently asked questions, like "Will I need
new hardware?" (The answer: probably not.) Thank you again for your
participation. It will, without a doubt, make the transition a smoother one.