The strengths and limitations of implementing a business intelligence system in a higher education setting

Abstract

Integrating Business Intelligence (BI) systems within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) presents a multifaceted landscape of opportunities and challenges. This comprehensive exploration dives into the strengths and limitations associated with the implementation of BI systems in the context of HEIs. BI systems offer a transformative potential, promising to elevate HEIs by consolidating and processing voluminous institutional data. This centralised data hub empowers administrators and stakeholders to make informed decisions in real-time, thereby enhancing operational efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and overall institutional effectiveness. BI systems become instrumental in academic planning, aiding in student enrolment, course performance assessment, and resource allocation. Predictive analytics is a core strength of BI systems, enabling HEIs to forecast enrolment trends, identify at-risk students, and optimise financial resource allocation. This proactive approach fosters student retention and provides a platform for HEIs to make adaptive, data-driven strategic adjustments. Moreover, BI systems streamline reporting processes, facilitating compliance requirements and promoting transparency to external stakeholders, ultimately leading to resource savings and heightened accountability. However, the implementation of BI systems in HEIs encounters limitations that warrant careful consideration. The initial cost and resource demands for system integration can be substantial, necessitating meticulous budgeting and planning. The human factor also introduces complexities as faculty and staff may resist change, mandating comprehensive training and support to maximise BI system utility. Furthermore, maintaining data quality and consistency becomes challenging due to divergent data collection methods and standards across departments.