Penn has launched an effort to update its Information Technology Strategic Plan. An updated plan will help prioritize IT activities for the next three to five years. A number of factors have made this an opportune time to do this work. These include the growing capacity for technology to enable the University’s goals, Penn’s recent strategic investment announcements, the changing nature of work since COVID, and accelerating shifts in the IT landscape.

Led by Information Systems & Computing, the initiative will include broad representation across Penn’s schools and centers. An advisory council (see below for a list of members) has been created to help shape the effort’s approach, review results from its various phases, ensure that it stays aligned with University priorities, and help guide the recommendations toward realistic topics and outcomes.

The project spans four phases: discovery, theme definition, analysis & recommendations, and report (see illustration). It is scheduled to conclude in nine months.

The discovery phase has been designed to capture Penn’s academic and administrative priorities for the next five years and how they may affect technology. Through a broad and inclusive process, four questions will be asked in both individual and group interviews, as well as in an online survey open to all Penn affiliates to ensure that the perspectives of all Penn constituents are represented. Similar initiatives at peer institutions will be reviewed for benchmarking.

The advisory council has begun meeting, the team is currently scheduling interviews, and the survey has been posted and is open for responses. Further updates will appear as the initiative progresses and can also be followed on its website.

—Joshua Beeman, Associate Vice President, Information Technology and Associate Chief Information Officer

The team wants to hear from you: Take the IT Strategic Plan survey.

Penn IT Strategic Plan Advisory Council Members

Mike Borda (Associate Vice Provost for Research)
Karen Detlefsen (Vice Provost for Education)
Mark Dingfield (Vice President for Finance and Treasurer)
L. Michael Golden (GSE Executive Director, Catalyst @ Penn GSE)
Andrea Liu (Hepburn Professor of Physics)
Mike Matthews (Vice Dean for Finance and Administration, SEAS)
Tom Murphy (Senior Vice President of Information Systems and Computing, University CIO)
Jason A. Presley (Vice Dean of Finance and Administration and Senior Fellow, GSE)
Akwelle (Q) Quaye (Student Representative)
Rebecca Stein (Executive Director, Online Learning Initiative)
Tanvi Venkatesh (Student Representative)

Penn IT Strategic Plan Process and Timeline