by: Larissa Pearce

While strategic shifts shape the future of admissions, it’s the day-to-day operational realities that often make or break a team’s ability to deliver. The challenges faced behind the scenes – systems that don’t speak to each other, pressure from increasing workloads, and disjointed processes – can quietly undermine even the most ambitious enrolment strategies. Small inefficiencies compound quickly, and without targeted solutions, those compounding effects can erode both team morale and student experience.

LEGACY SYSTEMS, SILOED DATA, AND THE DISCONNECT IN THE MIDDLE

Many institutions continue to rely on outdated admissions systems, patched together over years of iterative change. CRM platforms that only half-integrate with enrolment or academic systems are common, resulting in duplicated effort, missed follow-ups, and a fragmented experience for prospective students.

However, it’s not just about technology; it’s about people and process too. When systems are siloed, so are teams. This makes it harder to provide a consistent applicant journey, identify bottlenecks, or use data to forecast and adapt. Often, meaningful change starts with clarifying internal roles, optimising workflows, and developing a shared view of the student. Mapping current processes can uncover simple interventions that improve efficiency and cohesion without requiring a full system overhaul.

BOTTLENECKS, BURNOUT, AND THE BURDEN OF MANUAL PROCESSES

Admissions peaks are cyclical and largely predictable—often occurring at the same time each year and accompanied by the usual surge in workloads, long hours, and increased stress. While the exact volume of applications may vary, the underlying processes, institutional priorities, and student service expectations remain relatively constant.

These recurring demands don’t have to result in chaos. With the right planning, workflows can be mapped, tasks prioritised, and resources aligned well ahead of time. Clear strategies for workload distribution, process optimisation, and targeted automation can reduce reliance on reactive triage. By identifying which activities add real value—and which create drag—teams can alleviate pressure, reduce burnout, and improve overall service quality without needing sweeping reforms.

DATA GAPS AND THE CHALLENGE OF VISIBILITY

Rather than immediately reaching for complex reporting platforms, many teams benefit from stepping back to ask: what are the most important questions we need our data to answer? Clarity around purpose leads to better tracking, more useful metrics, and more targeted interventions. Lightweight, actionable reporting mechanisms can support smarter, faster decision-making without overburdening staff.

Operational transformation isn’t always glamorous but it’s where the real magic happens. When admissions teams have the tools, systems, and clarity they need, everything downstream improves.

At DVE, we believe in solving the right problems, in the right order, at the right pace – side by side with the people who do the work. If your team is grappling with systems fatigue, process complexity, or simply knows things could run more smoothly, let’s talk about how DVE can help.