Modernization Through Collaboration: West Chester University’s IAM Roadmap Evolved During the InCommon Collaboration Success Program

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

West Chester University (WCU) participated in the 2023 cohort of the Collaboration Success Program (CSP) to explore identity and access management (IAM) solutions. 

Unified and Modern IAM

One of the university’s primary goals was to shift towards a unified identity system. To accomplish this goal, WCU needed to integrate three ERP systems, maintain support for both formal and informal regulatory reporting, facilitate swift onboarding, offboarding, and access adjustments as required, and grant access to individuals who undergo role changes. (Read WCU’s case study.)

It was imperative for the WCU team to identify and implement an identity solution while minimizing disruptions to operations and user experiences. The CSP program played a pivotal role in helping WCU modernize its identity roadmap, and the university is well on its way to implementing its IAM solution this summer.

Lessons Learned

Along the way, the WCU project team (JT Singh, Kevin Partridge, Steve Safranek, Pete Calvert, Rashed Kabir, Bill Bi, and Lisa Disney) learned three important lessons:

1. Avoid assumptions: It’s crucial not to assume that common terms like “go-live,” “identity,” or “testing validation” have the same meaning for everyone involved. Delving deeper into discussions and clarifying terminology proved essential for achieving alignment. 
2. Be precise in requirement gathering: Ensure you elicit precise requirements from the integration lead and your partners. Clear and detailed requirements are fundamental for successful project execution. 
3. Be open to change: Don’t hesitate to change course if necessary. Flexibility and adaptability can be valuable assets in navigating complex projects and achieving optimal outcomes. 

To find out more about their IAM journey, read the full case study.

About West Chester University

West Chester University is the largest member of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education, which is comprised of 10 state-owned universities within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Founded in 1871, West Chester University is a comprehensive public institution offering a diverse range of more than 180 academic opportunities in 40 fields of study across undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels.

About the CSP

CSP supports institutions’ identity and access management (IAM) goals through a cohort-driven program that promotes collaboration among participants, program alumni, seasoned community implementers, and subject matter experts. CSP welcomes organizations that embrace the IAM community to help flesh out their plans, identify what to tackle first, and get training and tailored support along the way. Interested in joining a future CSP cohort? Complete this form, and a member of our team will be in touch.