What's a "Digital Roadmap?"​

John E Neal EdD, President

As we planned the reopening of JenEd Consulting, we wanted to find a catchphrase for our value proposition as a team of advisors.  We decided our greatest impact would be to help institutions build “a strategic digital roadmap to success.”  Rather than viewing “digital roadmap” as an oxymoron, we embraced the concept of charting a unique course for an institution needing to find direction and destination for their online learning challenges and opportunities.

We borrowed the roadmap concept from Orienteering, which is “a group of sports that require navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain whilst moving at speed” (italics added).  The explosion of online and hybrid learning has moved most higher education institutions into highly unfamiliar terrain, requiring expert orienteering skills.  Here are a few key concepts to help you navigate at speed:

• First, confirm where you are.  Unfortunately, too many institutions think their first order of business is to determine where they want to go.  But until you clarify your starting point, you risk getting lost in your journey.  I remember as a young boy my first time getting lost–really lost–while playing with friends in the deep old Hoosier woods on the outskirts of my great-grandfather’s farm.  No amount of running around (and yelling) provided an outlet, and the harder we ran, the more lost and disoriented we became.  Once we calmed down and discussed a direction based on the movement of the sun (thanks Scouts), we eventually left the woods and found a path home.  Knowing where your institution stands in terms of organizational structure, processes, and personnel will clarify your strategic direction and speed your journey.
• Second, determine a desired destination.  This is the moment when I hear institutional leaders over-simplify their strategy.  Too often in response to “why expand online/hybrid?” I hear “more money” or “more students.”  That’s not a strategy, and it doesn’t provide a satisfying destination.  Instead, focus on what will advance or expand your mission, increase access to your distinctive educational experience and community, and broaden the impact of your important work to new groups and organizations.  
• Draw the optimum path.  From a practical perspective, determine what’s achievable over various timeframes (long-term, mid-term, short-term), what’s sustainable rather than being a flash in the pan, and what’s scalable for future growth.  By connecting the dots between where you are and where you want to be, the optimum path needs to identify where the path is difficult (potholes, speed bumps) and where the tarmac is paved and maintained, permitting quick acceleration.
• Post road markers to assess progress.  Hansel and Gretel dropped breadcrumbs, my home golf course paints markers at established distances from the hole, and a great roadmap will reinforce both distance and direction for all to see.  Regular review and reorientation will help minimize implementation fatigue over the long journey.

It’s why we reopened JenEd Consulting with this specific team.  To provide the insights and abilities necessary to help higher education institutions “build a strategic digital roadmap to success” through:

• Informed, independent strategic assessment
• Innovative goals based on achievable plans
• Comprehensive approaches that break down silos
• Implementation and operation informed by ongoing evaluation

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We would be honored to assist you in this essential process.  Please feel free to reach out for a conversation.

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