Before the Christmas break, Professor Richard Reece, KentVision Executive Sponsor met with the six KentVision Functional Groups (KVFG) and communicated the decision by the KV Project Board, to move the KV work from a separate project to an IS business-as-usual delivery model by the summer of 2023 and the decision to re-focus delivery priorities.
By way of reminder, between now and summer of 2023, the project has been re-focused to deliver features, functionality, and data improvements in the following areas:
- Compliance (e.g., features relating to UKVI reporting)
- Statutory obligations (e.g., features relating to HESA Data Futures ensuring we maintain our link to UCAS)
Throughout January, each of the six KV Functional Groups (KVFG) have been conducting a thorough assessment of the feature requests which are not related to compliance or statutory obligations. In addition, an assessment of all existing operational workarounds is also being completed to understand the scale of time and effort required to manage these, and all associated risks – engaging with colleagues across divisional and central teams.
The KVFGs are making significant progress to confirm the workaround assessment of the KV specific features to be delivered in the future. By March we expect to have completed the assessments – ensuring that a revised KV Product Backlog can be confirmed.
The possible options we will consider for addressing the remaining KV feature requests include:
- Further technical development work to KentVision
- An alternative existing software solution (e.g., Office 365)
- A process and or policy change.
Our revised plan will prioritise areas where we will get maximum benefit for professional service, academic staff, and our students. We are developing plans with Senior Leadership and the KV Functional Group Chairs to move forward these key areas of work, reprioritising the plan.
In addition, we have two delivery teams focused on delivery of KV features and we’ve established a dedicated KV Operational Support Team who are providing technical support during intensive operational processes, that require manual workarounds, throughout the academic year (e.g., online module registration and academic roll-over activities). They are also focused on improving the efficiency of the service desk, and they are progressing KV related tickets daily.
In the coming months, we will continue to communicate with you about our progress and updates.
KentVision Technical Upgrade
Work took place from the 20-23 January to upgrade KentVision to keep us in support with the system supplier (Tribal) and to ensure that we continue to receive essential updates. On Monday 23 January, after careful testing, the upgraded system was switched back to live at 11:00 – 3 hours earlier than scheduled.
Thank you to everyone for their hard work and dedication to make this a success. Your contributions are invaluable and greatly appreciated.
KentVision Online Open Meeting
Colleagues are invited to attend an online open meeting with Professor Richard Reece KentVision Executive Sponsor.
This is an opportunity to hear from Richard and get an update on the future direction of KentVision and for colleagues to ask questions of him.
- 1 March 2023 – 1PM-1:45PM
Please register your attendance via Microsoft Forms for a diary invitation.
Upcoming Drop-In Sessions
The friendly CSAO training team are running monthly KentVision drop-in sessions, the aim of which is to answer your KentVision related questions and demonstrate the system in-person.
- 2 March 2-4pm in Darwin Board room.
With best wishes,
The KentVision Project