School workflow automation – 5 steps to removing roadblocks
In the busy environment of school management and administration, throw the phrase ‘introduce workflow automation’ into the conversation and you’d run a fair chance of a few red flags.
Not surprising really. In the Education Report 2020, three of the top four challenges for schools were: a lack of time, an unmanageable workload and bureaucracy and red tape. No one wants to add yet another dimension. But we all want simple, cost-effective processes with reduced manual intervention – automation at its best!
It’s not just about bringing in more and more technology while trying to stay on top of the workload and navigate the pace of change. That’s the view of Daryn Whittaker, FUJIFILM Business Innovation Australia’s National Enterprise Solutions Sales Manager in a recent FBAU webinar.
Finding the right mix
Daryn explained that workflow automation is just one cog in the wheel of information management. An important one. And no matter where your school is on the journey, picking the right route for your school can only benefit from consultation with objective external providers.
Achieving any level of digital transformation for your school information and workflows is not about shifting 100% to digital — it’s about fostering a seamless integration of digital and physical, online and offline. The school environment is always going to be a mix of these. Firstly, consider these three dimensions:
- people,
- technology
- workplace (which now includes work from home)
People
Expectations are changing – digital, social and mobile are the new front doors, with staff, parents and students flowing from one channel to the next. They’re expecting experiences that are personalised and intuitive, not to mention engaging and seamless.
Technology
The core digital transformation technologies today include cloud, mobility, big data and analytics. All these capabilities can be applied in different ways to the workloads and activities that happen daily in student administration, back office, faculty support and partner/supplier integrations.
Workplace
Consider how you capture, manage and protect your school information. It’s critical to maintain a single source of truth, no matter where your staff are accessing information. Improving stakeholder engagement at all levels and ensuring data integrity are top priorities.
Removing the roadblocks to workflow automation
With your framework of people, technology and workplace well understood, consider these five ways to remove the roadblocks to achieving automation in some of your key processes.
- Align transformation initiatives with your school’s core business objectives – digital transformation can lead to greater efficiency but also potentially open up completely new opportunities.
- Avoid patchy DIY approaches, instead, look to third party providers of comprehensive workplace transformation solutions.
- People are important – keep ‘experience’ at the centre and find a good balance between human/technology, physical/virtual and online/offline.
- Identify critical siloed data – implement a data platform to break down silos and generate high-value actionable data.
- Implement a security/compliance-first approach for all digital initiatives.
Beginning is half done!
Yes, it does take effort and change – but we’re here to help. Exploiting emerging digital opportunities and providing services to optimise business activities is our bread and butter at FUJIFILM Business Innovation Australia.
It may seem safer to sit back and ‘see how other schools do it’. But we know that adopting better ways of working results in streamlining, risk mitigation and most importantly, engaged students, parents and staff.
Contact your FUJIFILM Businness Innovation Australia representative to learn how we can help your school take steps to achieve workflow automation.
If you would like to listen to a copy of this webinar, it is available on demand here.
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