The mess
Paper applications. Student data typed into multiple places. Status questions answered from memory. Staff evenings disappeared into re-entry.
The fix
An intake system across programs: one application path, clearer status, less duplicate entry. Not a multi-year ERP — a focused build aimed at the daily pain.
The result
About 40% less admin overhead on the intake path, with a calm week one: the system held, and support calls stayed near zero because someone was watching launch.
What to steal
Scope the first win narrowly. Measure admin hours. Watch launch. Expand only after the first workflow is boring — boring is the goal.