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Andrew Drinkwater

Why Version Control Matters to Enrolment Forecasters

Enrolment forecasts are often large and complex models, involving information from databases, models, spreadsheets, and several other places. These models often involve thousands of lines of code and there are many opportunities for human error. I recommend using software to support versioning.

Plaid joins SFU VentureLabs

We’re very excited to announce our newest partnership with SFU VentureLabs, an accelerator that focuses on science, technology, and innovation-based ventures. VentureLabs was recognized as a top North American accelerator in 2017 by UBI Global.

The Importance of Reflection in Enrolment Forecasting

You’re finished enrolment forecasting for the cycle. The targets you helped developed made it through Senate, and you can breathe a sigh of relief. Right…?

20 years of wonder. Happy birthday, SFU Surrey

My undergrad degree was a transformative experience. Like my current job, the path to there wasn’t all that linear either. Back in high school, I vowed I would attend university away from home, live in a dorm, and so on. But that isn’t what happened.

Using a Database for your Enrolment Forecast

Databases are great at storing the inputs and outputs of your enrolment forecast. Depending on your configuration, horsepower, and forecast design however, they may be very subpar for the steps that happen between input and output.

Getting Your Intakes Approved

If you work in Institutional Analysis, Institutional Research or similar, you know getting your five-year plan approved can often be more of a marathon than a sprint. There are consultations (and consultations, and consultations…), new directions, and almost always a surprise or two.

Tripling Your Tuition Revenue?

Poof – you’ve now tripled your revenue in only five years. All from growing student intakes by 10% and rates by 15% per year. I’m providing this tongue-in-cheek example as many people struggle with non-linear growth patterns, and overlooking those patterns at could result in erroneous conclusions.

Learning Together: Leveraging Paired Analysis to Make Your Enrolment Forecast Successful

Paired analysis is an excellent method to encourage stakeholders to work more collaboratively on an enrolment forecast. As an analyst, you can learn immensely from your colleagues working on the “business” side of the institution.

Having Multiple Professionals Build Your Enrolment Forecast

What happens when your primary enrolment forecaster gets sick? Or gets another job? Would your institution be left scrambling?

It's the most wonderful time of the year... for enrolment forecasters

It’s that time of year again. It’s when enrolment forecasters shift gears from “let’s figure out what the possibilities are” to “wow, the rubber is really hitting the road. We’ve got to have an enrolment plan in less than a month”.