The University of Missouri’s data ecosystem is evolving to support faster insights, stronger decision-making, and a more consistent experience for faculty, staff, analysts, and leaders. UDAIR’s strategy focuses on building the foundations, tools, and culture needed to help every data practitioner and decision-maker use information with clarity and confidence.
Our goals guide how we prioritize work, collaborate with partners across campus, and shape the future of analytics at MU.
Foundational Goals
These enterprise-level goals describe the direction of MU’s analytics transformation. They form the foundation for all data, governance, and reporting work across the university.
Build the Data Foundation
Establish a single, scalable cloud data platform that supports certified, reusable data products and provides consistent, reliable access for diverse user groups. This includes MU’s transition to Power BI and the modernization of the university’s data platform with Microsoft Fabric.
Govern Our Data
Strengthen shared definitions, transparent data quality, and cross-campus stewardship to ensure MU’s data is trusted, consistent, and responsibly used. This work supports a stronger analytics foundation and more reliable information for decision-making.
Promote Literacy & Adoption
Equip faculty, staff, and analysts with the knowledge and tools needed to confidently access, interpret, and apply data using modern analytics technologies. This includes supporting users as MU adopts new reporting and data platforms.
Together, these Foundational Goals establish the base of MU’s evolving analytics ecosystem. They define the direction of our data transformation and create the conditions needed for trusted, consistent, and accessible information across the university.
To turn these foundations into daily value for faculty, staff, analysts, and leaders, UDAIR advances six Strategic Pillars. These pillars describe the capabilities, tools, and practices that bring MU’s data strategy to life.
Data Foundations
Build a modern, unified data environment that provides consistent, reliable, and scalable access for the entire university. This includes the move to a single enterprise reporting platform in Power BI and the modernization of MU’s data ecosystem through Microsoft Fabric.
- Establish a cloud-based architecture that supports long-term growth
- Break down data silos and consolidate access points
- Promote transparent and governed pathways for institutional data
- Provide consistent structures that support analytics across MU
Governed Data
Strengthen shared definitions, transparent data quality, and stewardship across MU to ensure data is consistent, trusted, and responsibly used.
- Clarify data owner and steward responsibilities
- Improve institutional data quality and standards
- Increase transparency through documentation and lineage
Data Literacy & Adoption
Equip faculty, staff, and analysts with the skills and confidence needed to access, interpret, and apply data effectively using modern analytics technologies.
- Build data fluency across units and roles
- Promote adoption of new analytics tools and processes
- Support cultural change through learning and engagement
Self-Service Analytics
Support MU in using modern analytics tools, including Power BI, to empower practitioners to explore data, create insights, and build reusable assets while ensuring a clear transition to certified, production-ready data when institutional reporting is needed.
- Enable a pathway from ad-hoc exploration to reusable data products
- Support the use of Power BI for discovery, analysis, and reporting
- Provide guidance and structure for citizen analysts across campus
Agile Data Discovery
Enable rapid insight generation using flexible tools and modern cloud technologies, while keeping a clear pathway for validated and governed data when operational use is required.
- Encourage rapid exploration supported by modern analytics platforms
- Strengthen transitions from agile insights to certified datasets
- Promote reuse, clarity, and transparency in analytics workflows
Advanced Analytics
Expand MU’s ability to use predictive, prescriptive, and automated analytics to advance student success, operational efficiency, and strategic decision-making.
- Develop AI-enabled analytics for operational insights
- Support responsible use of machine learning technologies
- Promote advanced modeling aligned with institutional priorities