PREPARING FOR MODERNIZATION
When institutions know change is coming and want to prepare with confidence.
Why This Matters
Preparation shapes every phase that follows.
The months before implementation create opportunities that are difficult to reclaim once a project is underway. Institutions that invest in preparation often enter implementation better equipped to tackle the decisions and workload ahead.
INSTITUTIONAL LEADERS ASK:
How do we protect our investment and position the institution for long-term success?
FUNCTIONAL TEAMS ASK:
How can we prepare now so our team isn't overwhelmed later?
How Institutions Prepare for Modernization
Strengthening Institutional Readiness
The strongest modernization efforts begin long before implementation.
1
BUILD INSTITUTIONAL ALIGNMENT
Create a shared vision and clear priorities before implementation begins.
2
STRENGTHEN GOVERNANCE
Clarify decision-making, ownership, and how important decisions will be made and communicated.
3
BUILD CONFIDENCE IN
YOUR DATA
Clean up data, clarify ownership, and establish reporting priorities before migration becomes the focus.
4
UNDERSTAND CAMPUS OPERATIONS
Document current operations to improve future processes.
5
SIMPLIFY BEFORE YOU CONFIGURE
Improve processes where it makes sense instead of recreating unnecessary complexity in a new system.
6
INVEST IN ORGANIZATIONAL READINESS
Prepare people, expectations, and ways of working so the institution is ready, not just the project plan.
Campus Story
Snapshot:
Public community college in Madison, Wisconsin, serving approximately 13,000 students.
Madison College built momentum before the implementation began.
As Madison College evaluated its future student information system, leaders recognized that successful modernization required more than selecting technology. Madison partnered with Legato to document campus operations, engage stakeholders, and identify opportunities for improvement. The result was stronger alignment, clearer priorities, and greater confidence entering the next phase.
From the Field
UMASS: Building the Foundation Before the Build Begins
As the University of Massachusetts planned modernization across multiple campuses, leaders focused on executive alignment, governance, communication, and stakeholder readiness before major decisions were made. The result was a stronger foundation for decision-making and long-term organizational readiness.
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Stronger Governance Framework
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Clearer Leadership Alignment
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Validated Staffing Strategy
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Greater Organizational Readiness
Key Outcomes:
How Legato Helps
On the Institution's Side
Legato helps institutions prepare for modernization before implementation begins. As a vendor-agnostic firm, we provide objective guidance focused on what's best for the institution while bringing deep higher education expertise in governance, operations, data, and organizational readiness.
BUILD ORGANIZATIONAL READINESS
Prepare leaders and teams for the work ahead through practical planning and alignment.
PREPARE REPORTING AND DATA STRATEGIES
Establish reporting priorities, governance, and data conversations before implementation begins.
STRENGTHEN GOVERNANCE
Clarify decision-making, roles, and ownership before implementation accelerates.
SUPPORT STRATEGIC PLANNING
Facilitate workshops, readiness assessments, and planning activities that create clarity across the institution.
UNDERSTAND CAMPUS OPERATIONS
Document how work happens today to identify opportunities for improvement tomorrow.
Preparation is about more than reducing risk. It is about helping institutions begin modernization with confidence and continue it with strength.
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