ProgramsBMIS476 Integrated Project Management Capstone Course (Fall 2026)ProjectsEnhancing University of Montana's Policy Management Systems

Project Title: Enhancing University of Montana's Policy Management Systems

University of Montana

Details
Project Title Enhancing University of Montana's Policy Management Systems
Project Topics Legal, Regulatory, Compliance Operations Organizational Culture PR & Communications Product Design & Development Software Design & Development Training & Development
Skills & Expertise change management Communication Strategy Comparative Analysis Data Documentation Legal Compliance Understanding Microsoft Project Organizational Communication Policy Analysis Process Improvement Project Management Records Management Report writing stakeholder communication System Evaluation Workflow Design
Project Synopsis: Challenge/Opportunity
 
The University of Montana (UM) is a large, complex organization whose policies guide how the University operates, makes decisions, meets its compliance obligations, and communicates expectations to its campus community. This project offers students the opportunity to work directly on improving the systems and processes that support that work. 

University-wide policies are created, amended, reviewed, and sometimes rescinded through established processes outlined in the University Operating Policy and supported by the Office of Legal Counsel & Compliance. These processes affect virtually every part of the University—and getting them right is essential to effective governance, compliance, transparency, and institutional accountability. 

Why This Project Matters 

UM's current policy-management system may eventually be replaced. At the same time, the University's existing policy-review processes present opportunities for improvement, particularly in: 

  • Tracking when policies are due for review and ensuring reviews occur on schedule.
  • Communicating effectively with administrators responsible for University policies.
  • Creating consistent and efficient workflows for policy review and amendment.
  • Documenting reviews and maintaining appropriate records for institutional accountability.
  • Communicating policy changes clearly and effectively to the campus community and shared governance bodies.

Students working on this project will not simply be studying policy processes—they will be helping improve them. Their analysis and recommendations can directly inform and shape how UM manages, reviews, documents, and communicates University-wide policies in the future.
 
Project Synopsis: Activities/Actions Required
  1. Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of UM's current policy-management system.
  2. Identify and assess potential replacement systems for managing university policies.
  3. Analyze existing policy-review processes to identify areas for improvement.
  4. Develop workflows for initiating and completing policy reviews.
  5. Create reports and tracking tools for managing policy-review timelines.
  6. Develop communication templates for policy review and amendment updates.
  7. Establish procedures for documenting reviews and ensuring proper records retention.
  8. Design strategies for effective communication of policy changes to the campus community.
  9. Create FAQs and standardized notifications for substantive policy changes.
  10. Collaborate with the Office of Legal Counsel & Compliance to ensure alignment with UM's needs.
Project Synopsis: Expected Results
  • Comprehensive analysis of the current policy-management system.
  • Detailed recommendations for potential replacement systems.
  • Improved workflows and tracking tools for policy reviews.
  • Enhanced communication templates and procedures for policy updates.
  • Strengthened documentation and records retention processes.
  • Effective communication strategies for policy changes.
  • Development of FAQs and notifications for policy updates.
  • Practical experience in policy management and organizational communication.

Project Timeline

University of Montana - Enhancing University of Montana's Policy Management Systems
Due Date
Activities
Deliverables
Status
Action
Thu, 09/03/26
Project Teams Finalized
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Location: Virtual
Event Description:
You'll be assigned to teams on the platform so you can get started!
Fri, 09/04/26
Learn More About CapSource Platform
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
View Calendar
Instructions:
Tue, 09/08/26
Schedule Kickoff Meeting with Client
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Location: In Person
Tue, 09/08/26
Projects Assigned
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Location: In Person
Tue, 09/08/26
11:00 AM UTC
CapSource Intro Session
Join us and learn more about using the CapSource system!
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Guiding Questions:
Join us and learn more about using the CapSource system!
Location: Virtual
Fri, 09/11/26
PLATFORM SUBSCRIPTION PAYMENT DUE!
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
View Calendar
Instructions:
Tue, 09/15/26
Submit Status Report #1
Required Action Item
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
View Calendar
Tue, 09/15/26
Self-Skills Assessment
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Tue, 09/15/26
Submit Team Charter
Required Action Item
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
View Calendar
Tue, 09/15/26
Submit Signed NDA (if Required by Client)
Optional Deliverable
Deliverables are suggested but not required.
View Calendar
Deliverable Instructions:
Please DOWNLOAD, sign, and UPLOAD your NDA!
Tue, 09/29/26
Student Temperature Check #1
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Tue, 09/29/26
Industry Mentor Temperature Check #1
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Tue, 09/29/26
Submit Project Charter
Required Action Item
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
View Calendar
Tue, 09/29/26
Submit Status Report #2
Required Action Item
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
View Calendar
Tue, 10/13/26
Submit Data Collection Plan
Required Action Item
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
View Calendar
Tue, 10/13/26
Submit Status Report #3
Required Action Item
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
View Calendar
Tue, 10/27/26
Student Temperature Check #2
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Tue, 10/27/26
Industry Mentor Temperature Check #2
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Tue, 10/27/26
Submit Status Report #4
Required Action Item
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
View Calendar
Tue, 10/27/26
Submit System Requirements Documentation
Required Action Item
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
View Calendar
Tue, 11/10/26
Submit Design Document
Required Action Item
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
View Calendar
Tue, 11/10/26
Submit Status Report #5
Required Action Item
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
View Calendar
Tue, 11/10/26
Industry Mentor Temperature Check #3
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Tue, 11/10/26
Student Temperature Check #3
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Tue, 11/10/26
Schedule Your Final Presentations with Client
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
View Calendar
Fri, 12/04/26
Project Review! Please Provide Us With Your Feedback!
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Fri, 12/04/26
Submit Link to Project Workbook
Required Action Item
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
View Calendar
Fri, 12/04/26
End of Project Self Reflection
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Tue, 12/08/26
Share Your Experience!
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
View Calendar

Program Managers

Name Organization
Clayton Looney University of Montana