TL-i

Getting the most from a school's MIS is not just about technical issues.  It requires an understanding of how schools work and of what school leaders need.

All too often, schools fail to get the best because the person with the responsibility and the vision doesn't understand the requirements of the MIS and the technical person who has to implement it all may have technical expertise but can't always provide the best solution because they don't understand what is needed and why it is being done.  The result can be something that seems to do the job but is, in design terms, a 'dog's dinner' and which misses opportunities and is high maintenance.

I had nearly 20 years in senior leadership positions and, more recently, have spent a number of years supporting schools in their use of CMIS. This support included working as an 'Associate' for Birmingham's MIS support organisation, EdIT (which later became part of Service Birmingham). As most of this work was in Birmingham, my expertise has been largely related to Facility CMIS but during my time in schools, I managed SIMS systems for many years.

Because of this experience, I can see things from 'both sides of the divide' and can ensure that the design and implementation maximises the benefits for the school.

John McMullan