Statewide Common Technology Platform Project

The Combined Statewide Technology Platform Efforts refers to various initiatives that seek to understand and potentially address inefficiencies and vulnerabilities in data and operations because of outdated systems across districts and colleges. In addition, the project provides the Chancellor’s Office and the system a comprehensive view of the potential gains from shared technological platforms and the means to build a robust and unified approach to address the core challenges of:

The Combined Statewide Technology Platform is comprised of three key projects that address specific challenges and needs:

• Collaborative Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Project
• Statewide Data Management Transformation initiated via the Data Governance Advisory Workgroup (DGAW)
• Common Cloud Student Data Platform (CCSDP) Project

The Combined Statewide Technology Platform efforts align with Governor Newsom’s Roadmap with the California Community Colleges for 2022-2023 through 2026-2027 and Vision 2030.

• Systems — remove barriers by providing near real-time data while improving student support.
• Policy — implement data governance practices to inform and advance policy.
• Resources — leverage investments and economies of scale to create a systemwide Common Technology Platform.

Where We Started

In recent years, several initiatives started the exploration for a common technology platform for the system. In February 2024, the Statewide Common Technology Platform (SCTP) Task Force was formed to include a statewide perspective and expertise on the current systems and processes as well as provide input on the possible path to a shared technology system and transformation. Over the course of seven months, the Task Force helped shape the transformation opportunities, collected feedback from districts on the feasibility and narrowed the options for California Community Colleges to best go forward. With support from the Chancellor's Office and districts, the SCTP project will use the outputs of the Task Force to continue to explore a Statewide Data Management Transformation and a Collaborative ERP.

• Statewide Data Management Transformation – the creation of a statewide data governance structure and implement a statewide data platform, which will be integrated with existing district ERP systems; this effort would be initiated by the Data Governance Advisory Workgroup.
• Collaborative ERP – voluntary participation in the implementation of a statewide cloud-based ERP that includes a full transformation for people, process, policy, and technology.

In parallel, the Common Cloud Data Platform Demonstration Project was started to develop a single interface for the Chancellor’s Office to access district data, establish a core data architecture and schema, and streamline MIS and 320 reporting.  

Where We Are and Where We Are Going

Collaborative ERP

The Chancellor's Office will provide financial and structural support to districts who are exploring a Collaborative ERP (ERP). Through a Business Process Analysis (BPA), the Chancellor's Office is collecting feedback from subject matter experts at districts, from Finance and Information Technology to Human Resources and Educational Services and Support. The Chancellor's Office is consolidating input from surveys to understand districts' processes and refining these to better fit their needs. Findings from the BPA will inform the requirements and selection process for the ERP.

Statewide Data Management Transformation and the Data Governance Advisory Workgroup

The Chancellor's Office is exploring a Statewide Data Management Transformation as part of the Data Governance Advisory Workgroup (DGAW)'s efforts to provide:

• Advice and counsel to the Chancellor’s Office on community colleges’ information technology and data governance policy and operations.
• Feedback based on analysis and simulation of current and proposed policies by the Chancellor's Office regarding data governance, data sharing, and data platforms to support effective implementation, fiscal health, and student-centered design.

Established by the Chancellor's Office and facilitated with the Research & Planning Group and the Chief Information Systems Officer's Association, DGAW is comprised of 17 members from across systemwide associations.