Stage 1: vision and intent

Indicative responsibilities and actions might include:

• Working with stakeholders (including student representatives) to identify the vision and the rationale for developing digital capabilities for your organisation
• Focusing on what you would like to achieve and how digital capabilities can contribute to your vision
• Aligning your aspirations for digital capability with other initiatives, policies and priorities - identifying where digital capabilities will enhance the performance and reputation of your organisation
• Reviewing the organisation-focused digital capabilities framework (pdf) with stakeholders in relation to the current and desired situation
• Working with stakeholders, using analytical tools such as our audit tool (Word) or checklist (Word) to ascertain the current situation and develop an outline action plan
• Facilitating collaboration and the bringing together of all those who have a role or interest in developing digital capability including those responsible for the digital infrastructure of your organisation, estates teams and human resources teams
• Reviewing the range of digital support options available to staff and students to create a holistic approach that makes the most effective use of resources
• Signifying the intention to embed digital capability development throughout the organisation by leading, championing, supporting and communicating the objectives and benefits of the plan for each stakeholder group, illustrated by evidence-based examples

Tools and resources to help you in stage one include:

• Senior leaders briefing paper: delivering digital change: strategy, practice and process
• Developing digital capability: an organisational framework (pdf)
• Building digital capabilities: the six elements defined (pdf) (individual capabilities)
• Our role profiles that contextualise the six elements of digital capability described in our framework for a variety of roles typically found in colleges and universities.
• Resources and guidance for HR teams to embed and support digital capabilities in HR processes
• Strategic steps towards organisational digital capability (pdf) (action focused poster)
• Audit tool for organisational digital capability (Word) or the shorter checklist for organisational digital capability (Word)
• Our digital leaders programme
• DigiComp European e-competency framework
• Participation in the UCISA digital capabilities surveys and analysis of resulting data

Likely outcomes, outputs and enablers that will arise from stage one activities include:

• The identification and formation of a stakeholder group who will steer the development of organisational digital capability with support from an identified senior sponsor
• The establishment of a shared understanding, common purpose and goals
• Greater understanding of the relevance of digital capabilities for your own organisation and community members
• Identification of the current situation and the difference between the current and desired positions
• Clearly articulated benefits for all stakeholders with evidence-based examples.
• Action and implementation plans (including a review of structures, responsibilities, resources, KPIs and success indicators) that can be shared with heads of schools, departments and service teams for further refinement
• Reflection on the digital leader profile and the personal development needs of others
• Potential for increased organisational growth, reputation, business and student satisfaction