In my last blog post, I introduced a mapping tool linking the HESA Data Futures schema (2.01) to the UCISA HE capability model. This generated an enormous amount of feedback and interest. This interest made me appreciate – again – how powerful the capability model is if tuned to a real world scenario, and that I’d created a bit of a monster in terms of the tool itself.

Having said I wasn’t going to enhance it, the number of  requested changes, and a bit of spare time over the break has brought forth version 2.1.  The new functionality includes:

  • A query function in the ‘All-Definitions’ tab to select a specific capability description. This removes the need to scroll down 300 lines of a spreadsheet looking for a single capability.
  • An Analysis tab which totals up capabilities by ‘Capture‘ and ‘Use‘. This data then creates a ‘rank‘ of the capabilities most affected by the mapping which should be very useful for focussing your efforts in the right place. All this data is visualised in an enhanced ‘Summary‘ page
  • A modified Map-Show sheet so if a field is mapped to both ‘use‘ and ‘capture‘, it now turns the capability orange. This was the most requested enhancement as many capabilities (eg Domestic Student Recruitment) both collect and use data equally.
  • Additional ‘seed’ data to get you started. Now populated a few more entities with dummy data.
  • Fixing bugs, issues, missing values.

 To get this far, I’m again indebted to the Excel Wizards of the Coventry University Strategic Planning and Analysis team for turning my sows’ ear into a silk purse! However, the spreadsheet is now quite complicate with a number of formulas that won’t scale much further.

So where next? Firstly, we’re done with the spreadsheet. I’m concerned if I make a mistake, it’s going to affect many colleagues as it’s been downloaded/used by so many people.  I’m hopeful the current level of functionality is fit for purpose to provide  an understanding of where the choke points/hot buttons are in terms of process, data quality, training, monitoring, etc. affecting in-year reporting.

There might be an on-line version coming. We’re punting around some ideas to see what’s possible in terms of a free-to-use web version of the spreadsheet. Early days and no promises, but if that’s of interest please drop a note in the comments or get in touch.

Here’s the download link.

Happy mapping!