Research - end of cycle (exploratory)

18 June 2020

The context #

We know that there are specific activities providers undertake when a recruitment cycle is closing. This research was to understand provider needs for:

• ending a recruitment cycle
• handling “edge case” applications
• planning a new cycle
• data and reporting to DfE

We also wanted to assess design changes for:

• reasons for rejection
• adding a way for providers to see the question guidance shown to candidates
• sorting controls, adding the ability to sort by Reject By Default (RBD) date

Approach #

One to one, moderated, semi-structured sessions
Discussion guide

Who we researched with #

Provider users, typically ITT administrators or ITT Directors from:

• 7 SCITTs
• 2 Schools Direct

Analysis #

End of cycle Miro board analysis

New user needs identified #

Provider user needs

New need categories:

• End of cycle
  • Know upcoming dates
  • Add existing courses automatically to Apply
  • Add new courses automatically to Apply
• Making a deferral
  • Know the DfE deferral policy
  • Allow candidates to defer without their needing to re-apply
  • Defer at any point after an offer is accepted
  • Deferrals should not impact my statistics
  • Change the course for a deferred offer
  • Change the location for a deferred offer
  • Add or change conditions for a deferred offer
  • Shortlist candidates for next year
• Next cycle
  • Know if the candidate has applied previously
  • See recommended actions for previously unsuccessful candidates
  • See deferred applications in next year’s list
  • Filter by deferred offers

Needs also added to the following categories:

• Recruitment
  • Understand the policy around application routes
• Data and tracking
  • Repeat need Download all candidate data as CSV
• Course onboarding
  • Confirm that a candidate has started on the course
  • Mark a candidate as having dropped out
  • Reject a candidate with an offer if they drop out
  • Reject/withdraw a deferred offer if the candidate drops out
• Manage data
  • Summary statistical data
  • Data to support DTTP or HESA

Findings report #

• End of cycle research findings
• End of cycle management
• Dealing with edge case applications
• Preparing for the next recruitment cycle
• Reporting and collecting data
• COVID-19 Impacts
• Prototype feedback