RECOMMENDATION 9: STRATEGIC FUNDING The University should adopt an understanding that IT resources are strategic assets. Models for funding (both centrally and distributed throughout the University) should be developed to ensure effective, efficient, and holistic investments in IT. 39 | EmpoweringTransformation Action Item 9:1 Across all aspects of IT, in conjunction with revisited, distributed governance structures, UK should strive for maximum efficacy and fiscal efficiency through the use of wide-reaching, accessible, centralized, holistic decision-making processes. There have been excellent examples in the past of broad-based purchasing agreements (e.g., Microsoft, Dell, Adobe), and these types of arrangements should be continued and where feasible, expanded to include more forms of hardware, software, and service commodities utilized across the University. ITS should lead this process, working closely with Purchasing as well as colleges and departments at the institution. Action Item 9:2 ITS should engage in a structured self-evaluation of its function and the application of its resources. In an effort to help align the organization’s funding with the requirements of this new IT strategic plan, an initial self-evaluation exercise should take place in the near future. Periodic reviews should also be undertaken thereafter (e.g., every 3-years). The process – an organizational efficiency review – should be carried out by ITS Leadership with an initial phase to identify functions, investments, and services that are no longer aligned with the strategic direction of the organization (as outlined by the ITSP) and the University to yield savings through their elimination and reduction. An ensuing phase of the process should then be to examine the ITSP for direction in reinvesting such savings into functions, services, and infrastructure that aid in the effective conclusion of the actions items of this plan. Reports on the results of this process should be shared with the established IT governance structures.