Shared-services IT pilot yields time and value estimates; AI strategy training common need

Amy Pfluger, senior director for shared services in the Coordinating Board's student success division, summarized a pilot with five community colleges and a competitively procured advisory vendor. The pilot produced institutional roadmaps, strategic-sourcing plans and governance recommendations; Pfluger said platform engagement metrics included thousands of downloads and visits and that AI-strategy workshops were among the most-used services. "The estimated value generated as reported by the institutions was $2,570,000 and an estimated time savings of 775 days," Pfluger said.

The pilot validated statewide survey findings from 2023 and showed institutions need differentiated implementation paths — shared services can facilitate work but not provide a one-size-fits-all product. Pfluger said advisory support helped colleges lacking staff or time to conduct thorough assessments and develop multiyear roadmaps, and recommended the coordinating board use pilot intelligence to scale services where they add the most value.