Administration 4.0

Good governance must be based on transparency, participation and collaboration. Smart administrative action requires intelligent networking and responsible management, swift decision-making, and an IT architecture combining maximum technical possibilities with optimum utilization opportunities. It was against this backdrop that the concept of Administration 4.0 emerged: It is rooted in transformation processes in business and industry and found its way into the public sector and the public administration. The Haefler definition , published in 2015, reflects the understanding of the concept in research and teaching.

The University of Regensburg started its lecture program in winter 1967/68. The administration's set-up in the years 1965 to 1980 was followed by a second stage from 1980 to 2006, which can be described by the buzzwords consolidation and recession. Governmental cost-cutting measures were seen especially in the period from 1995 to 2006. A third phase started in 2007, characterized by the expansion of the University as well as its administration. UR will enter the fourth stage from 2023, considering consolidation and prosperity being the defining elements. Administration 4.0 will be accompanying the University of Regensburg over the next five years.

Future Workplace

Jobs and working environments have changed a lot in recent years - and not just because of the COVID 19 pandemic. Mobile working is on the rise, making work more flexible regardless of time and place. In a pilot project, UR's administration will analyze what kind of working environment supports daily routines in today's increasingly digitalized world. Furthermore, the Administration's IT department is developing digital solutions such as virtual desktops and applications.

Digitalization

The process of digitalization has intensified once again during the COVID 19 pandemic. Those who do not continuously learn and change will eventually lose touch. At the current speed of digitalization, it is becoming increasingly difficult to relearn what has been missed. At the same time, digitalization opens up various opportunities. Our daily routine has also become digital. We use all kind of new digital tools for our daily communication. "Pilots" in UR's administration guide their colleagues through the digital change processes. The goal is a completely paperless office.

Processes and Tools

As part of the process management project, process owners will gradually describe and streamline work processes. If these processes are (already) lean, consideration will be given to what can be digitized - and how. Ideally, standardized and rule-based processes will be executed automatically. Time gained in this way will be spent on individual consulting. Intranet needs to be developped. Most efficient IT tools are a further major challenge.

Leadership Programs

Demands on managers are higher than ever. Digitalization and flexibilization of work are closely linked, complexity is increasing. Administrative departments require different leadership behavior than they did just a few years ago. An increasing specialization results in the situation that managers are less involved in each employees' areas of work. Managers become coaches and focal points of their work. They are challenged to maintain team spirit. Therefore, it is important to continuously train leadership skills in order to master changes and lead employees safely through change projects. To this end, targeted and topic-specific training programs are being established. Such training is also intended to intensify the exchange of information within the management team. Administrative managers are actively involved in the design and implementation of programs.

Vision, Mission, Values

We have developed our vision and mission statement. Together we have defined the values that will be the basis for our daily work.