Customer:
University of Sheffield
Project:
Feasibility Assessment of Tribal SITS for Marks Management.
Project Scope:
The project included a broad range of tasks aimed at assessing the technical feasibility of integrating SITS with the universities systems and regulations:
1. Proof of Concept (POC) Setup
PACT Solutions set up a vanilla version of Tribal SITS marks management to evaluate its out-of-the-box capabilities. This provided the university with a practical demonstration of SITS in a non-customised environment, allowing an assessment of how well it aligned with their requirements for marks management.
2. Data Quality Review
A thorough review of the data from SITS Curriculum, VLE and Student Records was conducted, ensuring accuracy and consistency in student records, module results, and registration data. This was crucial to ensure seamless integration between systems.
3. Alignment with VLE Assessment Data
An analysis was undertaken to ensure that Tribal SITS could align with the data structure in their VLE, particularly focusing on how assessment data from the VLE could be integrated into the SITS framework.
4. Resources, Costs, and Timelines
PACT Solutions provided estimates regarding the resources needed for a full-scale implementation, including technical expertise, human resources, and financial projections. A detailed timeline for the project was also developed, outlining the stages from proof of concept through to full integration.
5. Downstream System and Interface Analysis
PACT Solutions assessed downstream systems, such as Student Records, ensuring data interfaces were compatible with SITS. This included examining the flow of data between SITS, VLE, and Student Records to ensure smooth integration and minimal disruption to existing processes.
6. High-Level Designs
High-level architectural designs were developed to illustrate how Tribal SITS could integrate with existing systems. These designs focused on marks management but also considered the potential for scalability in the future.
7. Generic SITS Integration Approach
PACT Solutions proposed a general approach for integrating Tribal SITS with the university’s infrastructure, outlining key interaction points between SITS, VLE, and Student Records. This included an overview of the system architecture and data flow, with attention to optimising marks management.
Integration Feasibility and Testing:
To assess integration feasibility, PACT Solutions leveraged system APIs and integration testing tools such as Postman. The testing process involved:
– Validating API calls between SITS and VLE to ensure seamless transfer of reference data, assessment marks, and module results.
– Conducting integration tests for Student Records to SITS data flows, particularly focusing on student registration, module data, and module enrolment.
– Ensuring the compatibility of data structures and transfer protocols between systems to minimise disruption and manual interventions during the integration process.
These integration tests provided confidence that the systems could communicate effectively and that the data required for marks management would flow reliably across platforms.
Architectural Models and Documentation:
As part of the engagement, PACT Solutions delivered a comprehensive set of architectural models, outlining the systems and data flows necessary for successful integration. Additionally, data dictionaries were provided to ensure clarity on data formats and structures between systems.
Solution design documentation was also included, detailing the technical aspects of how Tribal SITS would be configured. This documentation served as a blueprint for the implementation team, providing a clear path for both the technical setup and ongoing system support.
Comprehensive Reporting and Presentation:
PACT Solutions delivered a detailed report outlining key findings, risks, and mitigation strategies for integrating Tribal SITS with the university’s systems. The report included architectural diagrams, data flow charts, and risk matrices for clarity. It was presented to the university’s steering group in a structured session, where we walked stakeholders through key insights and recommendations. A Q&A session allowed for discussion and refinement of priorities, ensuring the university had a clear, informed path forward for potential implementation.
Conclusion:
PACT Solutions concluded that Tribal SITS was a feasible solution for the University of Sheffield’s marks management needs. The system’s ability to integrate with existing platforms such as the VLE and Student Records, along with the defined architectural models, data dictionaries, and solution design documentation, ensured that the university had a clear roadmap for implementation.
“PACT Solutions brought invaluable expertise to our feasibility assessment of Tribal SITS for marks management. Their structured approach, from proof of concept to architectural design, provided us with the clarity we needed to evaluate SITS as a viable solution. The depth of their analysis, particularly in data alignment and integration feasibility, has given us confidence in the next steps for our student records ecosystem. Their collaborative approach and technical insight made a real difference”
Sarah Boyd, Assistant Director, Product Delivery
