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University-wide policies are created, amended, reviewed, and sometimes rescinded through established processes outlined in the University Operating Policy and supported by the Office of Legal Counsel & Compliance.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
12:00 AM UTC
Project Teams Finalized
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Location: In Person
Fri, 09/04/26
12:00 AM UTC
Learn More About CapSource Platform
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Tue, 09/08/26
12:00 AM UTC
Schedule Kickoff Meeting with Client
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Location: In Person
Tue, 09/08/26
12:00 AM UTC
Projects Assigned
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Tue, 09/08/26
11:00 AM UTC
CapSource Intro Session
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Location: Virtual
Fri, 09/11/26
12:00 AM UTC
PLATFORM SUBSCRIPTION PAYMENT DUE!
Please take a moment to use the link below and pay for the platform subscription and project-based experience coordinated by CapSource!  We wish you the best of luck and hope this results in a meaningful learning experience: https://buy.stripe.com/5kQ6oG9v84Cpabc1Ug2oE0e
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Guiding Questions:
Please take a moment to use the link below and pay for the platform subscription and project-based experience coordinated by CapSource!  We wish you the best of luck and hope this results in a meaningful learning experience: https://buy.stripe.com/5kQ6oG9v84Cpabc1Ug2oE0e
Tue, 09/15/26
12:00 AM UTC
Submit Status Report #1
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Tue, 09/15/26
12:00 AM UTC
Submit Signed NDA (if Required by Client)
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Deliverable Instructions:
Please DOWNLOAD, sign, and UPLOAD your NDA!
Tue, 09/15/26
12:00 AM UTC
Self-Skills Assessment
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Tue, 09/15/26
12:00 AM UTC
Submit Team Charter
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Tue, 09/29/26
12:00 AM UTC
Submit Status Report #2
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Tue, 09/29/26
12:00 AM UTC
Industry Mentor Temperature Check #1
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Tue, 09/29/26
12:00 AM UTC
Student Temperature Check #1
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Tue, 09/29/26
12:00 AM UTC
Submit Project Charter
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Tue, 10/13/26
12:00 AM UTC
Submit Data Collection Plan
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Tue, 10/13/26
12:00 AM UTC
Submit Status Report #3
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Tue, 10/27/26
12:00 AM UTC
Student Temperature Check #2
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Tue, 10/27/26
12:00 AM UTC
Industry Mentor Temperature Check #2
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Tue, 10/27/26
12:00 AM UTC
Submit Status Report #4
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Tue, 10/27/26
12:00 AM UTC
Submit System Requirements Documentation
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Tue, 11/10/26
12:00 AM UTC
Submit Design Document
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Tue, 11/10/26
12:00 AM UTC
Submit Status Report #5
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Tue, 11/10/26
12:00 AM UTC
Industry Mentor Temperature Check #3
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Tue, 11/10/26
12:00 AM UTC
Student Temperature Check #3
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Tue, 11/10/26
12:00 AM UTC
Schedule Your Final Presentations with Client
Including Date, Time, and Calendar Invite to Confirm
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Fri, 12/04/26
12:00 AM UTC
Project Review! Please Provide Us With Your Feedback!
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Fri, 12/04/26
12:00 AM UTC
Submit Link to Project Workbook
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Fri, 12/04/26
12:00 AM UTC
End of Project Self Reflection
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Tue, 12/08/26
12:00 AM UTC
Share Your Experience!
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Program Managers

Name Organization
Clayton Looney University of Montana