Agile and more: A successful redesign of ICT-infrastructure information exchange in higher education in The Netherlands

Abstract

Between 2010 and 2013 the information exchange process between higher educational institutions and DUO, executive agency of the ministry of Education Science and Culture (OCW), has been fully modernised. For this three year project BRON-HO the agile method (scrum) was used. All chain partners were intensely involved. Thanks to this approach all (!) prior set goals have been achieved. The project in which the ministry of OCW, 55 educational institutes, the Vereniging van Samenwerkende Nederlandse Universiteiten (VSNU)1, the Vereniging Hogescholen2, Studielink3, software suppliers and DUO collaborated closely, led to the successful implementation of new ICT-infrastructure and a new way of data exchange. The batch exchange was replaced by XML messages and web services. The CRIHO-register at DUO which contained all data generated by higher education institutions, was replaced by a new structure where enrolments and student results from all educational sectors are registered in the register of education participation and the register education results. The enrolment process in higher education is fully digitalised. The information on tuition fees and the amount of funding is supplied directly when the student registers. Hence the administrative burdens for institutions have been significantly reduced. For an automation project conducted by governmental organisations to be this successful can be accredited to the approach, which was fundamentally different form previous projects. At the end of 2010 all partners met and together they drafted the master plan for this project. Here the deadline of December 2013 was set. Deliberately was chosen not to produce a list of demands. The only thing that mattered was a result in accordance with the law. Immediately the development process began. After every four weeks the results so far would be assessed by all the partners, which included testing. This process was repeated approximately 40 times (40 x 4 weeks). The success of this project is not only the result of the efforts of DUO or the Ministry but also the result of the commitment and effort of all partners involved!