Ad Hoc Reporting Project Update

October 17, 2019

The Ad Hoc Reporting Project (ARP)’s mission is to implement a modernized ad-hoc reporting software solution (Tableau) and support the migration from Brio to the new platform. Our number one guiding principle for this project is to advance HUIT’s vision of empowering the Harvard community through technology that enables effortless access to data, information and knowledge.

Currently, DMS is actively working to:

  • Continue engagement with Local Implementation Managers (LIMs) on a monthly basis to begin the BRIO conversion and Tableau implementation process
  • Use the results of a BRIO/IR User Survey to determine the schools/units that will participate in the first BRIO query conversion wave
  • Continue to construct a sandbox environment of our Tableau platform, Tableau Server
  • Finish drafts for the project’s communication and training plans

Latest from the Project

  • The project team is reviewing the results of the BRIO/IR User Survey. At a high level, we discovered that users will be converting as little as 2 and up to 300 BRIO .bqys into Tableau queries. These .bqys also vary in complexity from straightforward to highly complicated. The survey will also help the team identify who will participate in the first wave of BRIO query conversion.
  • LIMs are starting the process of requesting Tableau Desktop licenses for their Tableau Creators (formerly BRIO developers).
  • The next monthly LIM meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 17th. These meetings will continue throughout the project implementation period. For information on who in your school/unit is serving as a LIM, as well as view materials from previous LIM meetings, visit the ARP wiki site.

Tableau Server Update

The DMS team continue to work with Tableau experts to design the Harvard central Tableau Server platform. The platform will enable the sharing of reports by ad hoc developers and the ability for those who run queries to make modifications and/or view the data results. The platform is expected to be available by the end of the calendar year.

Tableau Days Continue

Due to scheduling conflicts, the September Tableau Day had to be cancelled. We are, however, moving forward with the October Tableau Day which will be held on Thursday, October 31st. The agenda will soon be finalized with our partners at Tableau.

Please join us!

If you have topics that you would like to see covered in future Tableau Days, simply email Patty Hatch or Raj Mariadoss.