United KingdomEducation2024 – ongoingUniversity of Manchester
Phased Microsoft 365 Copilot rollout
University of Manchester rolls out Copilot in cohorts; a leadership meeting's admin load fell 98%
Problem
The university did not know where Copilot would add value across its functions and user types. Teaching and back-office staff carried a heavy administrative load, and users needed prompt skills.
Approach
Licences grew from 120 to 200 and then 300 across three cohorts, with support from Microsoft Consulting Services. The university recruited champions and gave staff an internal training site, a prompt of the week and a Viva Engage community. It also reviewed data rights and policies and plans a Centre of Excellence.
Results
Takeaway
Staged licensing with champions and training let the university see which roles gain most. The 98% reduction was one analyst's account of a single meeting.
Categories
- Industry
- Education
- Business function
- Internal work and knowledge managementProduction and quality
- Innovation type
- Process innovation
- AI technology
- Generative AI
- Adoption
- Off-the-shelf tool or platform
- Evidence
- Vendor's case study
Sources
Source summaries
Microsoft described the university's staged Copilot rollout and staff training. A Programme Management Office analyst reported a 98% reduction in administrative work for one 90-minute leadership meeting and a 48% cost saving after human checks.
Full details are in the original sources.
