UniForum at TRU
Benchmarking for better university support services
The UniForum program is a benchmarking initiative that provides data and insights on the effectiveness and efficiency of university support services. Services are organized into functions such as finance, human resources, facilities management, communications and information technology.
Through UniForum, Thompson Rivers University (TRU) gathers and analyzes data in a consistent, comparative way—allowing us to benchmark our results against other universities of similar scale and complexity across Canada and around the world. Integrated Planning and Effectiveness leads this initiative for TRU.
By participating in UniForum, TRU can:
- See how we compare with other universities of similar size and scope.
- Gain a deeper understanding of how our administrative services are delivered.
- Transform insights into continuous improvement and informed decision-making.
Across Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, 49 universities participate in UniForum, including 10 Canadian institutions such as the University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, University of Calgary and University of Alberta.
Background
In support of TRU’s ongoing commitment to data-informed decision-making and financial sustainability, UniForum provides valuable insights into how our support services are structured and resourced.
As TRU continues to navigate financial pressures and increasing expectations for accountability, UniForum gives us a strong evidence base to guide decisions that improve efficiency, strengthen operations and align resources with our academic mission.
How UniForum works
Activity Data Collection
Conducted annually in the spring and summer, this component captures information about how support services are delivered across the university.
Completion of this process allows TRU to understand:
- How much professional services capacity is employed in-house and how much is outsourced.
- How much these services cost, in both absolute and relative efficiency terms.
- Where each service or activity occurs within the university.
Service Effectiveness Survey
The survey gathers feedback from academic and non-academic staff on the importance of and satisfaction with university support services.
The survey:
- Covers up to 70 services.
- Enables comparisons across the higher-education sector by service area.
- Collects structured feedback to help identify opportunities for improvement in systems, processes and people capabilities.
By combining information from both components, TRU gains a comprehensive view of what we are doing well, where we can improve and what we can learn from other institutions.
Data collection timeline
| Period | Activity |
|---|---|
| Summer 2025 | Activity Data Collection (service delivery and resource data gathered) |
| Fall 2025 | TRU receives and reviews UniForum results |
| Winter 2026 | Service Effectiveness Survey conducted (importance and satisfaction feedback) |
| Spring 2026 | Findings analyzed to identify opportunities for improvement and future planning |
Why this matters
Participation in UniForum helps TRU strengthen the connection between operational insight and strategic action. The information gathered supports:
- More efficient, coordinated delivery of administrative services.
- Informed choices about where to invest or realign resources.
- A culture of continuous improvement rooted in evidence.
- Long-term financial stability and institutional health.
Questions?
For more information, contact Integrated Planning and Effectiveness (IPE) at ipe@tru.ca.
