European benchmark
A comparison tool that places an institution's position in European programmes next to reference data, used to prepare strategic conversations with rectorates and research offices.
Specified, built and operated by Universitas
For rectorates and institutional planning
The same figure meaning the same thing in every meeting
Institutional decisions are prepared with numbers from several units, produced in different ways. We start by agreeing what each indicator means and where it comes from, and only then build the view that leadership uses.
The technology we deliver
Institutional dashboard
A bespoke institutional dashboard built on an agreed indicator dictionary, so that one figure means one thing in every meeting.
The result we work towards: a short set of indicators the institution has agreed, each with one source and one owner, shown in a view that is updated by a routine rather than by an effort.
Three modules
01
Agreed indicator dictionary
Each indicator with its definition, its owner and the rule used to calculate it, signed off by the units involved.
02
One connected data source
The first source connected and refreshed on an agreed schedule, with a named owner for the refresh.
03
Visual reporting and export
Views prepared for governing bodies, with an export for the papers of the meeting.
First scope
One strategic area and one data source. The dashboard is used in a real meeting of that area before any other source is added.
Acceptance criteria
- Every indicator in scope has one written definition accepted by the unit that produces it.
- Each figure shown can be traced back to its source, without manual reconstruction.
- The dashboard is updated once in front of the institution, following the agreed routine.
- Indicators that cannot be produced today are listed as such, not estimated.
Scope, price and calendar are agreed in writing before the pilot starts, based on the number of indicators and the state of the sources.
What we need from you
- The list of indicators leadership wants to see, even if it is provisional.
- Access to the sources, or an export of them, with the unit that maintains each one.
- A person in planning who can convene the units that produce the data.
- The strategic plan or the objectives the indicators should serve.
Next step
Tell us the strategic area, the source you would start from and who owns the figures today. We reply with a scoped fit discussion.
Define my indicatorsThe sequence, step by step
- 01
Definition
What the indicator counts, agreed in writing
- 02
Source
One system and one unit responsible
- 03
View
The figure shown with its origin visible
- 04
Decision
The governing body discusses the decision, not the figure
If you continue: implementation
Implementation widens the indicator set, connects the sources properly and turns the reporting routine into part of the institutional calendar.
- Extension to the full indicator set of the strategic plan.
- Stable connections with the institutional systems, where they allow it.
- Views by governing body, faculty or objective, with the access each one needs.
- Comparison with external references where the source can be named.
- Maintenance as definitions and reporting obligations change.
What already exists and what is built for you
Existing building blocks
Internal comparison and self diagnosis tools that Universitas built and operates for its own advisory work. They are internal references, without a public demonstration.
Configuration and adaptation, subject to fit
Configuration to your indicator set and connection to your source, subject to a technical fit check.
Custom development
The dictionary, the views and the export for your governing bodies are developed for this project.
Cost depends on the number of users, the integrations required, data migration, languages and support. The proposal confirms price and calendar before any work begins.
Example of application
Where artificial intelligence could help
These are custom developments we can propose, not features already deployed. In all of them a person reviews and approves before anything is used.
Explaining a variation
Drafting a first explanation of why an indicator moved, which planning verifies against the source before it is presented.
Detecting definition conflicts
Comparing how different units describe the same indicator and listing the discrepancies for a decision.
Preparing report narrative
Assembling a draft narrative for a governing body from validated figures only, which the team rewrites and signs.
Related references
Institutional self diagnosis
An online self diagnosis for leadership teams that reviews the institution's starting point in European projects, quality assurance and programme design, and returns a structured reading of the options available.
Specified, built and operated by Universitas
Questions we are usually asked
- Do you need access to our systems?
- Not necessarily for the pilot. An export of the sources is enough to agree definitions and show the view. Stable connections are part of implementation.
- What if the data does not exist?
- We record it as unavailable and describe what obtaining it would involve. We do not estimate figures to fill a dashboard.
- Do you compare us with other institutions?
- Only against references whose source can be named and dated. Comparison without a stated source is not useful for a governing body.
- Who maintains it afterwards?
- The institution, with the routine agreed during the pilot. Maintenance by Universitas is a separate written agreement.
Get in touch
Tell us which need your institution has
Write to us with the process involved, who leads it and the timeline. A specialist from Universitas reviews the case and replies with next steps.
Institutional channels
What to prepare
- The process involved: accreditation, teaching, projects or institutional data.
- Who leads it inside the institution and who has to review the result.
- The systems already in use and the timeline or deadline you work with.
What happens next
- 1A scoped fit discussion: we look at the process, who owns it and whether a pilot makes sense.
- 2A written scope and quote, with the calendar, before any work starts.
- 3The pilot runs and is accepted against the criteria agreed in that document.
Prepare a short brief
The brief is prepared locally on this page. The button opens a draft in your own email application, ready for you to review and send. This page does not submit anything to our systems. Please do not include personal data.
Summary
Client type: Rectorates and planning Type of institution: University Need: Data and planning Timeline: Within three months
This opens your email application with the draft already written. Nothing is sent until you send it yourself.
Copying does not send the message. You have to paste the summary into the channel you choose.