Reporting and Decision Support Services

In the past, decision makers across Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) had poor access to data. Requests for data had to be directed to specific operational areas and were often provided only in hard copy. To analyze and transform data into useful information, decision makers and their staff had to enter non-integrated data into their local systems. Executives often couldn't "see the forest for the trees"—either they were drowning in too much data with poor options for analyzing it or received too little useful data"—and frequently received conflicting information or responses based on inaccurate assumptions about the types of data and analysis required.

In addition to accurate and integrated information, executives and decision makers throughout the campus required assistance in defining, analyzing, and interpreting institutional data to support strategic planning and policy-making processes at RPI. Each unit and division struggled to conduct data analysis and interpret results obtained from non-integrated data sources. RPI needed an institute-wide function to facilitate the flow of accurate, timely information to assist all levels of management in defining issues, obtaining appropriate data, and interpreting results.