Future-Proof: The Flexible IT Organization

Published:: Monday, September 19, 2022

To future-proof our organizations, we must evaluate our present and envision our future. Current and future technology leaders will then be able to design the flexibility needed now for success tomorrow.

Where Are You Now?

A person sitting in front of a laptop with eyes closed and meditating.

Being able to thrive in the future requires evaluating your present. A central part of institutional planning is understanding how current resources and investments, both financial and human, are being spent.

See the Core Data Service (CDS) Interactive Almanac

What Will the Future Look Like?

The future won’t look like the past. Success in higher education depends on implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices, and holding ourselves accountable, so that our environment is welcoming to all students and staff, from all backgrounds.

Explore the EDUCAUSE Guide to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

The Steps: From DEI Commitment to Action. 1. Raise my personal awareness. 2. Work to increase opportunities. 3. Work with professional organizations. 4. Become aware of trends. 5. Partner with institutional colleagues. 6. Advocate for and help develop DEI practices.

Who Will Lead in the Future?

2 people walking forward with a crowd of people following

Current technology leaders must create pathways and cultivate opportunities to attract and retain the next generation of professionals. A key part of doing this work involves listening to the ideas of those who are new to the field.

Listen to "EDUCAUSE Young Professionals on Career Development," The Integrative CIO [podcast]

Quote: 'The CIO of today has to spend more time building learning and development pathways.' - Sandeep Sidhu, Chief Information Officer, Emily Carr University of Art and Design. 'EDUCAUSE Young Professionals on Career Development,' The Integrative CIO

Member QuickTalk | Showcase Coffee Shop

Missed the Member QuickTalk | Showcase Coffee Shop? View the recording and join the digital whiteboard discussion to hear from institutional leaders and discuss flexible IT organizations with the EDUCAUSE community.

Go Further

Assess Your Progress

Feed Your Curiosity

Dig Into the Library

Learn from Your Peers

Connect with Community Groups

We hope this Showcase will empower you to design a flexible organization that can anticipate the challenges and opportunities of the future. Our final showcase of 2022, Forward: Your 2023 Planning Guide, will provide you with tools to tackle the 2023 Top 10 IT Issues.