Operational Excellence

This page replaces the Operational Excellence Advancement Program page. Each of the main projects in the program can be found down below.

UW–Madison released its updated Strategic Framework, launched in the spring of 2026, focusing on what it means to be a leading university in the 21st century, recommitting to a modern conception of the Wisconsin Idea, and defining the Badger Way as how we deliver on our mission.

This work is not new — several years of coordination to standardize compensation and titling (Title and Total Compensation), research administration services (RAMP), and business operations (the ongoing Workday stabilization) — have led to this next phase of operational excellence efforts.

One pillar of the new framework, to “cultivate a culture of excellence to ensure a resilient future,” helps guide the university’s ongoing work in Operational Excellence, where we will build on our history of customer service and improvement to provide value across campus as we advance the mission.

Why Operational Excellence?
Proactive Change in an Uncertain Environment

Current realities compel us to proactively embark on a journey to improve administrative processes across campus, through the Operational Excellence portfolio of work, helping to advance the Culture of Excellence envisioned in UW–Madison’s Strategic Framework.

External Pressures

Uncertainty in the state and federal policy and funding environment
Shifting international enrollment landscape
Inflationary pressures and affordability concerns for Wisconsinites
Changing public perceptions of the value of a college degree

Operational Pressures

Inconsistent processes across the university create confusion and compliance challenges
Limited institutional visibility into unit practices makes it challenging to identify opportunities for greater alignment, understand what works well, and apply successful approaches broadly
Transactional work consumes asignificant share of staff’s time
Work often gets done despite processes rather than enabled by them

Operational Excellence Portfolio

Our university has launched a series of initiatives over the last few years to improve operational excellence. They are in different stages of completion, from early consideration to design, implementation, and sustainment.

Emerging Projects

Newly proposed, under initial review, or awaiting the time or capacity needed to begin.

Travel and Expense – Audit Framework

This future initiative will examine opportunities to streamline and improve the submission and approval process for travel, lodging, meals, and other out-of-pocket expenses.

Design Stage

Scope, requirements, and approach are being defined; solutions are not yet built.

Operating Model Prototype (coming soon)

Aligns authority, accountability, and responsibility between central and distributed units, strengthening financial management, and improving the service experience for faculty and staff.

Position Management

Enhances the processes used to manage staffing models and support hiring.

IT Federation Program

Strengthens how IT teams across the university work together, creating more intentional opportunities to share expertise, align priorities and resources, and support each other more effectively.

Implementation Stage

Solutions are actively being built, tested, and deployed.

Enterprise Risk Management Program

A coordinated, enterprise-wide approach to understanding and managing the full range of risks that could affect the institution from both inside and outside the organization.

AI for Enterprise

The AI-Tech for Enterprise Steering Committee provides strategic leadership for the adoption, investment and governance of artificial intelligence initiatives across UW–‍Madison’s administrative units. Its role is to coordinate AI enterprise management, help administrative units assess AI tools, and make decisions aligned with institutional priorities.

LinkUW

LinkUW delivers timely, consistent, and customer-centered support that enables school, college, and division partners to focus on advancing the university’s mission. LinkUW is focused on performing high-volume or time-sensitive operational administrative services.

Travel & Expense – Automation (coming soon)

Streamlines travel and expense review and approval processes through automation, improving efficiency, accuracy, and compliance.

Monitor and Support Stage

Live and in use. Team shifts to ongoing monitoring, support, and optimization.

Workday Stabilization

Workday is currently in the stabilization stage and is the system all Universities of Wisconsin universities, including UW–Madison, use to standardize and streamline finance, human resources, and research administration processes.

Budget Approach

The budget approach was implemented July 1, 2026 and is changing how tuition revenue and research overhead funding are allocated, more directly linking funding to instruction and research activity. This new approach is currently being evaluated and adjustments may be made depending on findings.