Timeline

Overall Program Timeline

Patriot Connect is planned for a sequential rollout with two releases in 2025. The first release will introduce Student Success and a mass communication tool in April 2025. The second release will introduce Recruitment and Admissions in late 2025 and early 2026. This approach ensures a systematic implementation, providing opportunities for ongoing feedback and adjustments to optimize the user experience.

The timeline graphic illustrates key phases for the Patriot Connect Program. The program Kickoff was held in January 2024, followed by Validation and Discovery from late January through May 2024. The Design and Build phase runs from June to December 2024, with Test scheduled from November 2024 to February 2025. Release 1, which includes the Student Success functionality, is targeted to Deploy in April 2025. Release 2, focusing on Recruitment and Admissions, is proposed for the end of 2025 and early 2026.

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Student Success – Release 1 Phases

Discovery: March 2024 – July 2024 

• Conducted Blueprint Validation sessions to gather business requirements from staff and faculty, listening to their current workflows, addressing operational challenges, and identifying improvements to ensure successful integration with concurrent systems, with active involvement from unit liaisons guiding the design for a distinctive and inclusive student experience.
• Concurrently with Blueprint Validation sessions, we identified areas of change for staff and faculty. These efforts are key to ensure a smooth adoption, with strategic emphasis on training and communication plans for George Mason.

Design, Build, and Test: June 2024 – December 2024

• Design: Utilized the requirements gathered during the discovery phase to design the platform and user interface.
  • Drafted the Change Management Plan, including the communication and marketing plan and training strategy for Patriot Connect adoption.
• Build: Developed the technical capabilities within the platform to support the functional requirements captured in the design phase.
• Test: Technical team conducts system testing to ensure accuracy of data migration and that platform functionality is working as designed.
  • Conduct a training needs analysis from design and build sessions to develop targeted training materials.

Training Preparation: February 2025

• This phase empowers selected George Mason superusers to become trainers for impacted stakeholders. These superusers will receive specialized training to effectively guide and support their peers in transitioning to Patriot Connect, ensuring a smooth and well-supported adoption process across the university.

User Acceptance Testing (UAT): March 2025 – April 2025

• This phase verifies that Patriot Connect accurately reflects the correct processes and user experience. It provides an opportunity to assess system navigation, high-level functionality, and anticipated benefits. Feedback gathered during UAT will be instrumental in refining the training approach for Release 1.

Training Delivery: March 2025 – April 2025

• End-users receive training for Release 1: Student Success.

Launch: April 30th, 2025

• Release 1: Student Success and a mass communications tool becomes available.

Recruitment and Admissions – Release 2 Phases

Discovery: November 2024 – January 2025

• Conduct Blueprint Validation sessions to gather business requirements from staff and faculty, listening to their current workflows, addressing operational challenges, and identifying improvements to ensure successful integration with concurrent systems, with active involvement from unit liaisons guiding the design for a distinctive and inclusive student experience.
• Concurrently with Blueprint Validation sessions, areas of change for staff and faculty will be identified. These efforts are key to ensure a smooth adoption, with strategic emphasis on training and communication plans for George Mason.

Design, Build, and Test: TBD

• Design: Utilize the requirements gathered during the discovery phase to design the platform and user interface.
• Build: Develop the technical capabilities within the platform to support the functional requirements captured in the design phase.
• Test: Technical team conducts system testing to ensure accuracy of data migration and that platform functionality is working as designed.
  • Conduct a training needs analysis from design and build sessions to develop targeted training materials.

Training Preparation: TBD

• This phase empowers selected George Mason superusers to become trainers for impacted stakeholders. These superusers will receive specialized training to effectively guide and support their peers in transitioning to Patriot Connect, ensuring a smooth and well-supported adoption process across the university.

User Acceptance Testing (UAT): TBD

• This phase verifies that Patriot Connect accurately reflects the correct processes and user experience. It provides an opportunity to assess system navigation, high-level functionality, and anticipated benefits. Feedback gathered during UAT will be instrumental in refining the training approach for Release 2.

Training Delivery: TBD

• End-users receive training for Release 2: Recruitment and Admissions.

Launch: TBD

• Release 2: Recruitment and Admissions, is currently proposed for the end of 2025 and early 2026.