HOME / NEWS / 2019 /

August 2019

Analytics and Reporting (Human Resources) News and Updates

August 15, 2019

Contact Information

Need assistance? Contact the HR Analytics and Reporting team
Spotlight! HBS Managing the Future of Work Podcast
Hot Topics: 7 Steps to Improve your Analytical Thinking Skills

Position Tracking and Reporting – Workforce Analytics Qlik Improvements and HR Position Data Models!

My Positions and University Positions

Empl Class and Job Function filters: Users can now easily find and select Empl Class and Job Function on the common filters panel.

... Read more about Analytics and Reporting (Human Resources) News and Updates

Harvard Analytics and Reporting Tool (HART) Update

August 15, 2019

HART by the Numbers

  • 1: Average query time to run in seconds
  • 738: Average # of rows in the dashboard results
  • 0.03: % of queries that completed in over 1 minute
  • 53,887: Difference in the # of queries between the top 2 most frequently run dashboards (1. Transaction Listing   All, 2. Transaction Listing with Balance Forward All)

Monthly HART Release

The next monthly HART release will begin on Thursday, August 29th  at 6 p.m.  All changes will be implemented, and the release completed, by 9 a.m. on Friday, August 30th.Check out the HART 3 Month Release Plan and Backlog wiki page for details of the dashboard changes included in this release.


HART Quarterly Drop-In Hour


This 1-hour session is designed for you to get 1-on-1 help with HART: answering questions, saving displays as customizations, etc. The upcoming Drop In Hour is Friday, September 13th, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.  You can attend in person at 8 Story Street, Room B50, Cambridge or virtually via WebEx.

To ensure that we have adequate resources available at these sessions, we are asking for you to register for the session if you plan to attend. You can register HERE.... Read more about Harvard Analytics and Reporting Tool (HART) Update

Ad Hoc Reporting Project Update

August 15, 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:

 

  • Provide monthly informational sessions for the Brio / IR users called Tableau Days, in cooperation and coordination with Tableau
  • Engage with Local Implementation Managers (LIMs) on a monthly basis to begin the BRIO conversion and Tableau implementation process
  • Compile a list of the current BRIO/IR user population with guidance from the LIMs
  • Distribute and review a BRIO/IR User Survey to help determine the number and complexity of .bqys to be converted to Tableau

Latest from the Project

DMS is pleased to announce that license negotiations with Tableau have been completed and the contract has been signed.  As we move forward with implementation, Local Implementation Managers (LIMs) from participating schools have been defined and they are working with us to:

  • Define the BRIO/IR/Ad Hoc Reporting user community
  • Review a survey to these users to help determine the number and complexity of .bqys to be converted to Tableau
  • Appoint a local BRIO/IR Conversion Facilitator/Manager to oversee the .bqy conversion process for their school/unit
  • Meet with DMS after the survey is completed to coordinate the delivery of a .bqy inventory and determine school readiness for conversion and other implementation activities

The first monthly LIM meeting was held on Thursday, August 8th.  These meetings will continue throughout the project implementation period.  For information on who in your school/unit is serving as a LIM, visit the ARP wiki site.... Read more about Ad Hoc Reporting Project Update

Position Tracking and Reporting Project Update

August 15, 2019

The Position Tracking and Reporting project successfully rolled out to the Harvard Divinity School on July 14th.  All Divinity School staff, faculty and several other groups of HDS employees now have a position number in PeopleSoft.

Over the weekend of October 5-6, 2019 this functionality will be rolled out to the remainder of the University for all staff and union positions.  Some schools will elect an early adoption of faculty position numbers and may include other classes (ex. Post Docs, Temps etc.) at this time.  After the roll-out of position tracking, an approved position number will be required to recruit in Harvard Careers or hire staff, union and any other locally required groups in PeopleSoft.  New functionality in October across the different systems include:

  • PeopleSoft – new common position form and approval process.  A preview of functionality may be seen here
  • Harvard Careers – position numbers and attributes fed to Harvard Careers.  A preview of changes may be seen here
  • Workforce Analytics Qlik – new applications available to support position tracking and some existing applications modified to include positions  
  • HUBS – A few changes to HUBS (Harvard University Budgeting System) are also planned for September and October to support position tracking. These changes may or may not be incorporated into your local FY21 budget process.
  • September – new roll-up members will be added to the Position and Employee dimensions to support position tracking and reporting
  • October – PeopleSoft position numbers and data elements to support budgeting will be fed to HUBS; GL payroll actuals will be fed to the employee cube with position and employee detail
  • Further detail on new HUBS members may be found here
  • HART – Position number added to transaction listing dashboard Local Systems – PeopleSoft position numbers will be added to some local systems (Aurora and Wasabi)

... Read more about Position Tracking and Reporting Project Update

Updates to PeopleSoft Absence Management – Available Friday, August 30th

August 15, 2019

Improving User Experience

  • Absence Request – Thank you for your feedback, we heard from many users and have brought back the Notify button!!

After submitting an absence request, the Notify button will be visible on the confirmation page.

Request Absence
Request Absence (cont)

You can begin typing your approver’s name or click on the magnifying glass to see the full list of your approvers.  The body text will be pre-populated with your name and dates of your request, although the message can be edited.

Notify

The notify button will also be accessible from the View Request page for any absence that is in the submitted status.... Read more about Updates to PeopleSoft Absence Management – Available Friday, August 30th

Research Administration & Compliance Systems

August 15, 2019

Reminder about our new publication format: The Harvard University Information Technology Research Administration and Compliance Systems team supports a number of University-wide systems. Historically, we shared system updates via separate eNews articles. However, to simplify information sharing with our community, we will now publish updates across our applications under this one eNews article heading.

GMAS

The next GMAS release is scheduled for September 9, 2019.

Changes include:

  • Convert additional pages for requests:
    • Approval yes/no questions
    • Add new accounts
    • Request submission
  • Simplification of the internal logic used to generate approvals, making it consistent across the entire application.
  • Convert foreign/overseas approval and add additional status options.
  • Configuration changes to support billing agreements.

Full release notes will be available on our website in the next few weeks.

Please contact the GMAS Help Desk with any questions or concerns.

ESTR-IRB

The ESTR support team is working on a configuration release, planned for this fall. Please visit the ESTR Support site to view information about the timing of the changes and details regarding what is included in the release, as updates are available.

With this release, Harvard plans to add configurations to support IRB review and notifications to researchers. Release highlights include:

  • Minor SmartForm revisions;
  • Changes to notification content and timing (specifically around External IRB review); and
  • Activity and workpsace updates to support IRB staff in the review process.

Please contact the ESTR Help Desk with any questions or concerns.

Agreements-DUA

The Agreements support team is working on a configuration release, planned for this fall. Please visit the Agreements Support site to view information about the timing of the changes and details regarding what is included in the release, as updates are available.

With this release, Harvard plans to add configurations to support Data Use Agreement review. Release highlights include:

  • Minor SmartForm revisions; and
  • Amendment activity and workpsace updates to support staff in the review process.

Please contact the DUA Help Desk with any questions or concerns.

PI Dashboard

PI Financial Dashboard has an upcoming release targeted for early fall. The release date will be announced in the next eNews . The release will include modifications to the projections module for personnel entry, streamlined navigation, and additional enhancements.

ID Entry for 1033 Massachusetts Avenue

August 15, 2019

Starting Monday, July 8, the front and rear doors of 1033 Massachusetts Avenue will be locked 24/7 and accessible only with a Harvard University ID (HUID).

Anyone with an HUID will have card access to the building through both doors between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. All building tenants will have 24/7 HUID card access.

  • Tap readers will be installed in place of card readers – this should be helpful to those who carry HUID’s in their wallets and will not need to be removed when you enter the building.
  • A new intercom system will be installed at the front door. Non-Harvard visitors and deliveries will be able to place a call to the appropriate destination for building access. New signage will be displayed to help visitors with the intercom system.
  • Harvard staff who frequently attend meetings at 1033 are encouraged to carry their HUID with at all times.

Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Property Manager, Cheryl Burley.

Back to School Financial Policy Refresher

August 15, 2019

This session will focus on helping individuals who make purchases or process payments on behalf of Harvard gear up for the new academic and fiscal year.

A high-level review of roles and responsibilities and documentation requirements when making purchases and processing payments to vendors and individuals as well as pertinent policies will be reviewed.

The session will be held on Thursday, August 22 from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. in the Lamont Library, Forum Room.

Sign up here to attend or email financialpolicy@harvard.edu with the words registration 8/22 in the subject line.

The session is open to all; please feel free to forward this invitation to others who may be interested.

Nonresident Alien Tax Compliance/Glacier Information Session

August 15, 2019

The Nonresident Alien Tax Compliance Office will host an information session for Harvard affiliates on Wednesday, August 21 from 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Forum Room at Lamont Library

Designed to provide assistance with the onboarding process and making payments to nonresident aliens.

This session will include an overview of the nonresident alien setup process, an overview of GLACIER online tax classification tool, helpful tips, and Q&A.

... Read more about Nonresident Alien Tax Compliance/Glacier Information Session

Overview of Harvard University Finances now an ongoing course at CWD

August 15, 2019

With the success of the pilot for the new Overview of Harvard University Finances course, the decision has been made to offer this as an ongoing, bi-monthly course at CWD. Click here to register for Overview of Harvard University Finances.

The Overview of Harvard University Finances course is designed to give a better understanding of Harvard’s financial model, including (1) the University’s revenue and expenditures mix, (2) how our Schools and Units interact on a financial level, and (3) how national trends and external forces on higher education are impacting Harvard. The ultimate goal of this course is to equip University citizens with a broad financial and economic context to be good stewards of Harvard’s resources. The ultimate goal of this class is to better equip community members at every level of the University to make better decisions with the resources we have at our disposal. The course will be taught by representatives from Harvard’s Office of Financial Strategy and Planning.