Fed Uni Australia's digital evolution with Optimizely

Transforming the learner experience: Federation University Australia's digital evolution with Optimizely

Federation University Australia, the nation’s third-oldest educational institution, embarked on a digital transformation journey in 2020 to enhance its learner experience. Faced with outdated systems and a heavy reliance on IT for content management, the university sought an agile, user-friendly solution. After a rigorous selection process, they chose Optimizely as their content management and experimentation platform. Partnering with Levo and KPMG, they successfully streamlined their digital experience, empowering marketers, increasing engagement, and improving student conversions.

Enhancing the student experience

Key Points:

Marius Jones, Director of Digital at Federation University, focuses on improving the student experience through digital channels.
Federation University, the third oldest university in Australia, aims to prioritize students and enhance their learning experience.
The university has been working for decades to place students at the center of everything, continuously improving their experience.
Marius works on building products that make students' lives easier through digital platforms

Streamlining digital experience with Optimizely

Key Points:

Federation University needed to improve its digital content management and reduce reliance on IT.
In 2020, they launched a pilot project with Optimizely as part of a broader transformation.
The aim was to simplify content management for over 250 decentralized publishers and make processes more efficient.
Optimizely's easy-to-use platform helped reduce bottlenecks and allowed teams to manage content at scale.
Federation University has seen improved content management, increased engagement, and better conversion rates.

Federation University partners with Levo and Optimizely for digital transformation

Key Points:

Federation University partnered with KPMG and Levo for their digital transformation.
A pilot with Optimizely and CDP aimed to attract new students post-COVID and test system compatibility.
The success of the pilot led to funding for a new website and ongoing CRM and DXP implementation.
Federation University is working closely with Levo and Optimizely to evolve the tech stack and enhance web experimentation.
Federation University’s digital upgrade made it easier to manage content and connect with students.

Next steps in digital growth

Key Points:

Next Focus is expanding personalization through CDP and experimentation.
Federation University is lookimg at student engagement and international growth - attracting global students as visas reopen.
The university is evolving its digital strategy to stay relevant and competitive.

Federation University reflects on four years of digital transformation

Key Points:

Marius discusses the tight deadlines and limited resources they faced in transforming the university’s digital systems.
He emphasizes knowing which levers to pull when facing constraints, such as deadlines, money, scope, and delivery models.
If given more time, Marius would have requested a longer deadline to improve the process further.
Despite the initial pressure, the university successfully launched the new website and continues to iterate and improve it.
Transformation projects require clear understanding of trade-offs and potential impacts.

Conclusion

Four years into its digital transformation, Federation University has successfully modernized its tech stack, making content management more efficient and enhancing student engagement. By leveraging Optimizely’s capabilities, they have not only met but exceeded their digital goals. Looking ahead, their focus is on personalizing student experiences at scale, attracting new generations of learners, and bringing students back to campus post-pandemic. Their journey highlights the power of strategic partnerships and the importance of adaptability in digital transformation.