1 Introduction
The Information Strategy is concerned with all forms of information, independent of the medium of storage or access. While the Strategy will facilitate the development of digital information resources and services, it recognises that print-based information is likely to continue to play an important role well into the future. The Strategy aims to address both internally-generated information (information that the University owns and/or creates) and externally-generated information (information owned or created by third parties).
The Information Strategy has the following objectives:
- to make information more accessible
- to reduce the cost and effort of managing and using information
- to improve the availability and exploitation of management information
- to encourage the development of information skills so that members of the University are confident and effective in their use of information
- to improve the quality and reliability of information
- to ensure that the University's information processes comply with legislative requirements and, as far as possible, with appropriate national and international standards.
These broad objectives are closely aligned with the goals articulated in the Corporate Plan. These are set out below, with an indication of how the Information Strategy facilitates their achievement.
The achievement of excellence
High quality information systems will enhance the student experience, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the corporate processes that support learning and teaching. The Information Strategy will facilitate the development of a content-rich learning environment, blending external knowledge-based content with local delivery, and making it easier for students to access the learning resources they need. Teaching staff will also benefit from enhanced information skills, enabling them to exploit innovative approaches to learning and teaching.
The frontiers of knowledge
The Information Strategy directly supports the generation of new knowledge and understanding, facilitating access to the global knowledge base, and providing a range of information and computing resources that enhance and extend the research capability of individuals, groups and multi-institution collaborations. The Information Strategy also emphasises the effective dissemination of research outputs and encourages this to be seen as an integral part of the research process.
The impact of innovation
Protection and exploitation of the University's intellectual property is an important dimension of the Information Strategy. By enabling information to be shared rapidly and securely with trusted partners, high quality information systems leverage the value of our research and learning enterprise.
The power of people: staff
The effective use of information in all its forms is crucial to the effectiveness of staff at every level. The systems, resources and support which the Information Strategy aims to foster will enable staff to be productive and confident in their use of information. The Information Strategy places a strong emphasis on staff development and training to enable all staff to benefit fully from the provision of high quality information systems and resources.
The power of people: students
The Information Strategy supports the development of information literacy amongst students; a key attribute of the Sheffield graduate set out in the Learning teaching and assessment strategy. Our students will have the opportunity to acquire valuable transferable skills in the discovery, access, use and management of information.
The sense of belonging
Effective use of modern information systems will underpin the development of better internal communications, and enrich our interactions with the University's external communities, locally, regionally and beyond. It will facilitate the development of lifetime relationships with students, and make it easier for them to support their University.
Delivering on our promises
The capture and analysis of high quality management information, and the ability to derive intelligence from it, is crucial to assuring the quality of all of the University's key business areas, and managing the risks associated with them. Information systems and resources also extend staff capabilities, and make it easier for them to deliver high quality services to the University's customers.
The Information Strategy is a dynamic and cross-cutting framework within which more detailed policies relating to information creation, use and management can be developed. These policies, and the Information Strategy itself, will be kept under review by the Information Services Division Executive (see section 9 Implementation, monitoring and review).
Within each of the broad headings below, general principles are described. These are the essence of the Information Strategy. For each heading, key operational considerations indicate actions required for implementation (these are not intended to be exhaustive), and the associated documentation that should be in place. The Appendix is a schedule of work derived from these sections, to be overseen by the Information Services Division Executive, and intended also to inform the strategic and operational planning of other key committees.