The Reporter: June 1997, Vol.8, No.3
PERSONNEL NEWS
Envision 2000

In an effort to better organize and manage employee data, Columbia University has undertaken an initiative to redesign the human resources and payroll functions. Phase one of the project called Envision 2000 began in February and will continue through August to examine policies, processes, and systems from a University-wide perspective and from the viewpoint of schools and departments.

Galene Kessin, assistant vice president for Health Sciences human resources, says the consensus throughout the University is that the human resources and payroll offices are characterized by inefficient and duplicative processes, outdated systems, and an inadequate ability to provide management information to support business needs. "The goal of Envision 2000 is basically to improve employee data management all around," she says.

Steps in the project will survey problems and solutions internally and externally, assess needs, explore the best practices and conduct plan-for-change exercises, and prepare a final report. Administrators from all schools are being invited to participate in 24 focus groups to examine what works and what doesn't in human resources and payroll and to then make recommendations for change. The final report will reflect the consensus regarding the most appropriate redesign strategies for human resources and payroll and will include recommendations, an implementation plan, and a business case listing costs and benefits.