Data Analysis & Benchmarking

Learning from Peers to Inform CSN’s Path Forward

What is Benchmarking?

Benchmarking is a critical part of the Design Phase of this engagement. It involves comparing CSN’s current IT service delivery model against peer institutions and best practices across higher education.

This comparison helps us understand how CSN performs relative to similar colleges and universities — and where the greatest opportunities lie to improve, innovate, or re-align services.

Why It Matters

Benchmarking allows CSN to:

• Identify performance gaps compared to other NSHE institutions and similar-sized community colleges

• Understand what’s possible by analyzing how other institutions structure, staff, and deliver IT services

• Gain external validation of challenges and opportunities identified through internal discovery

• Build confidence in recommendations by grounding them in proven approaches across the sector

Our Approach

The benchmarking process involves:

• Analyzing data from peer institutions within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE)

• Evaluating models from other similarly-sized community colleges across the U.S.

• Comparing cost structures, service delivery performance, governance models, and infrastructure investments

• Using the Beyond Capability Model to map CSN’s current state and potential future state