Editor’s Note: The Alteryx Public Sector team recently engaged with the Tambellini Group and the University of Pittsburgh to document the University’s experience and results using Alteryx.
Higher education institutions are grappling with the challenge of managing and analyzing vast amounts of data. The University of Pittsburgh (Pitt), a nationally ranked Research 1 institution, is an excellent example of how embracing advanced analytics tools can transform this challenge into an opportunity. This case study delves into how Alteryx has empowered Pitt to streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and drive impactful outcomes across the institution, from IT and research to athletics and fundraising.
The challenge: streamlining data workflows
Pitt’s Information Technology (Pitt IT) department initiated an analytics enablement program to create cross-functional subject matter experts equipped with self-service analytics tools. Previously, the manual extraction, integration, and refinement of datasets for business reporting and decision-making were time-consuming tasks for Pitt’s analytics teams and data scientists. The need for a more efficient solution was clear, prompting Pitt IT to explore tools to streamline these processes and empower users across the university to handle their data needs independently.
The solution: Alteryx Designer and Server
Pitt IT began by trialing Alteryx Designer, which quickly proved its value in simplifying data preparation and curation. Recognizing its potential, Pitt expanded its use of Alteryx Designer to automate various time-consuming data workflows. The implementation of Alteryx Server further extended these capabilities, providing a scalable solution for the entire university. This allowed multiple departments to automate complex data analysis and business reporting processes, significantly reducing the manual effort previously required.
The results: enhanced efficiency and business continuity
The adoption of Alteryx at Pitt has led to notable improvements in several areas:
- Time Savings and Automation: Departments have reported significant time savings by automating data workflows that previously took weeks to complete manually. For instance, the Athletics Department estimated saving about 100 hours of manual work by using Alteryx to generate a stadium seating map.
- Improved Decision-Making: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Alteryx was crucial in integrating diverse data sources to provide timely and accurate insights, supporting critical decision-making processes for university leaders.
- Enhanced Data Governance: Alteryx Server’s data governance features have enabled the central analytics team to manage sensitive information securely, ensuring stakeholders receive only the necessary data while protecting privacy.
- Support for Research and Education: Alteryx is now being integrated into the academic curriculum, allowing students and researchers to leverage the platform for their projects. Events like the Alteryx SparkED Datathon have provided experiential learning opportunities, improving students’ analytical skills and preparing them for future careers.
Expanding impact
The success of Alteryx at Pitt extends beyond administrative efficiencies. The platform’s flexibility and ease of use have encouraged widespread adoption across various departments, supporting initiatives in research, student services, and community engagement. Alteryx has become an indispensable tool in Pitt’s mission to foster academic excellence, research innovation, and community service by automating routine tasks and enabling sophisticated data analysis.
By leveraging Alteryx, the University of Pittsburgh has enhanced its operational efficiency and paved the way for future innovations in data analytics. Alteryx could be the key to unlocking your data’s full potential if you want to empower your organization with advanced analytics capabilities. Read the in-depth case study here.