Glasgow Caledonian University Case Study
Strategic Readiness Assessment for Scaling Online Programmes
Project Summary
Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) engaged Learning Design Solutions (LDS) to assess its readiness to scale up from small-scale online offerings to full-scale delivery of fully online programmes. This strategic consultancy aimed to help GCU identify its internal strengths, potential areas for development, and where external support would be beneficial to achieve effective, globally accessible online education.
The Challenge
While the university already had some small existing pockets of online delivery, GCU wanted to investigate the potential to expand to a comprehensive, fully online programme model that could attract students worldwide. Transitioning to a larger-scale online delivery requires a detailed understanding of both operational capabilities and the additional resources needed to support students and ensure high-quality online learning.
LDS Solution
LDS’s lead consultant, Andrew Doig, worked closely with GCU to perform a thorough assessment of the university’s operational readiness. Drawing on his extensive experience with online programme management and development for numerous universities, Andrew conducted interviews with key stakeholders across various business areas at GCU. This process aimed to provide a clear picture of the university’s internal capabilities and where additional support might be required. Andrew says, “It was clear that Glasgow Caledonian had an appetite for fully online programmes, and a portfolio of courses that would be well suited to taking into the distance learning marketplace. The goals at the outset were two-fold, to help the university understand the breadth of operating areas across the University that would be needed to contribute to that success, and to carry out a readiness review to find out in what ways they might need to invest and expand.”
As part of this consultancy, LDS also introduced Sarah Frame, a specialist in business process review, to assist GCU in evaluating its existing infrastructure and workforce capacity for large-scale online programme delivery. This review allowed GCU to identify strengths such as a capable internal tech team, effective student support for non-traditional learners, and strong in-house marketing skills.
Through this process, LDS was able to highlight key areas where GCU could consider external support, specifically in marketing, recruitment, and initial programme design, to ensure a successful launch and sustain high standards in online education.
Success Highlights
The consultancy provided GCU with a roadmap for achieving a full-scale online delivery model, empowering the university to strategically build on its existing capabilities. LDS’s insights helped GCU recognise the operational strengths it could leverage internally, as well as the value of partnering with external specialists in targeted areas to ensure the success of its future online programmes.
Contact Us
Explore how Learning Design Solutions can help your institution assess readiness and create a strategic pathway for successful, scalable online programme delivery. Contact us on info@learningdesignsolutions.co.uk.