Using Data Analytics to Drive Transformational Change

Using Data Analytics to Drive Transformational Change: The Chapman University Model opens with the statement, “Most strategic plans are a waste of time – a drain on precious resources.” An alternative planning approach is described in this book. It represents a paradigm shift in tackling transformational change. Rather than developing all-around strategies, the author presents a planning model that guided Chapman’s transformation that took place during James Doti’s 25-year presidency at Chapman University. Chapter 2 describes how data analytics were used to increase student selectivity by utilizing specific strategies relating to tuition pricing and discounting. Chapter 3 shows how the progress of competing universities can be identified and measured in helping determine the optimal size for a university. The specific strategies relating to establishing a new film school, law school and physical therapy program are presented, as well as when and how to pursue national accreditation for a school’s academic programs. Chapter 4 describes how analytical tools can be used to optimally invest in buildings and land. Putting those tools to work is described in examples related to the construction of a new film studio, library, underground parking, and landscape development. Chapter 5 explains how a unique budgetary system was developed to move Chapman’s faculty salaries into the 95th percentile for all professional ranks. It also presents specific strategies relating to increasing the number of endowed faculty chairs and professorships. Chapter 6 describes how the net income ratio can be used to assess the financial health of the institution as well as increase endowment growth and investments in buildings and land. Specific examples include increasing the number of natural science majors as well as developing a new campus devoted to graduate health science programs. The chapter also presents a unique strategy relating to succession planning

James Doti earned his B.S. degree in economics from the University of Illinois, Chicago, and his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Chicago. He was appointed president of Chapman University in 1991 and served for 25 years. In September 2016, he returned to the Chapman faculty. He holds the Donald Bren Distinguished Chair in Business and Economics. Dr. Doti joined the Chapman faculty in 1974. In 1978, he founded the A. Gary Anderson Center for Economic Research to provide data, facilities and support to encourage faculty and students to engage in research of high quality, and to widely disseminate the results. The Center's inaugural Orange County Forecast, presented in December 1978, was the first economic forecast in the U.S. to be based on an urban econometric model. The Economic Forecast has continued to be a main focus of the Anderson Center's work, growing in scope and widely recognized for its statistical accuracy. Over the 2004 through 2014 period, Chapman's real GDP forecasts were more accurate than the forecasts issued by all 30 agencies participating in the Blue Chip Economic Indicators surveys. The Chapman forecast model also outperformed the highly regarded Blue Chip Consensus forecast. Dr. Doti's articles have appeared in academic journals as well as periodicals such as The Wall Street Journal and The Chronicle of Higher Education. His frequent op-eds appear in the Orange County Register, and he is a regular columnist for Orange County Business Journal. Dr. Doti is a recipient of the Horatio Alger Award and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.