Building an agile data analytics environment to support university decision‐making: A case study of Ohio State University's rapid development of a COVID‐19 dashboard system

Abstract

Data analytics is increasingly important to the operations and strategic growth of higher education institutions. In September 2019, three higher education professional associations issued a rare joint statement calling for the accelerated investment and intensified efforts to develop and deploy data analytics in support of campus decision making. COVID‐19 disrupted the momentum generated by the joint statement. However, during the pandemic, many universities recognized data analytics as a critical asset to their response to the crisis. In this case study of Ohio State University's COVID‐19 dashboard development process, the authors demonstrate that the principles advocated by the joint statement are exactly the reasons that a successful and nationally recognized dashboard effort was possible. The case study shows that senior leadership support, strategic investment in the right technologies, and close collaboration among campus data analytics professionals are among the key factors of success.