Designing organisations that help education thrive
Education organisations are working through rapid change. Funding is tighter, learner needs are shifting, and digital expectations are rising.
These pressures show up in how decisions are made; how fast issues move and how well teams work together. In this environment, organisational design is not a side project. It is the structure that helps people solve problems with pace and clarity.
When the design is unclear, everyday work becomes harder. Decisions bounce between teams. Tasks are duplicated. Legacy structures slow down digital or blended delivery. Roles blur, making it tougher to build and keep the right skills. These gaps drain time and attention from the core task of supporting learners.
A clear organisational design steadies the system. It links structure, governance and people so that accountability is understood and resources are used where they matter most. When these basics are in place, teams can respond to shocks such as funding changes or new regulations without losing focus on long-term goals. For education providers working under scrutiny and constrained budgets, this clarity supports better learner experience and greater resilience.
Our work with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) shows this in practice. We examined how governance worked day to day, how responsibilities were shared and how future technology might alter the flow of work. We spoke with staff, compared structures with leading practice and modelled possible workforce needs.
The result was a clearer governance model, a capability framework that sharpens role clarity and a phased plan to embed changes at a manageable pace. These shifts give SUSI a structure that can adapt as demands evolve.
We have also used tools such as Anaplan to support strategic workforce planning, helping teams make evidence-based decisions about staffing and resources. Used well, these tools give leaders a sharper view of where demand is rising and how to deploy people effectively.
Forces shaping future design
Across the sector, several trends are shaping how organisational design is evolving. Digital-first models are becoming standard, with automation reducing manual tasks and analytics helping to anticipate enrolment patterns and plan resources. Cloud platforms are making collaboration easier for dispersed teams.
Workforces are also becoming more flexible. Hybrid learning and uneven demand mean organisations need the ability to test scenarios, plan for multiple outcomes and access specialist skills without long-term commitments.
Culture and capability remain central. Structure alone cannot deliver change. Leaders need support to think adaptively, staff need space to learn and teams need shared habits that build resilience. Continuous learning, micro-credentials and joined-up support systems all play a part.
Governance is shifting too. With closer regulatory scrutiny, organisations need data that is accurate, accessible and able to show performance in real time. Predictive tools can flag risks early so that issues are dealt with before they affect learners.
Sustainability and social impact are also shaping design choices. Many organisations are embedding ESG considerations into decision-making and building structures that support fair access to education.
Design that supports people
Our work across education and other public services reflects these shifts. The organisations that adapt best are the ones that consider structure, technology, workforce, and culture together. Each element shapes the others.
Organisational design is not simply about reporting lines. It affects how people experience their work, how decisions are made and how quickly services improve. When the design is clear, teams feel supported and can focus on learners rather than navigating internal complexity.
As the pace of change accelerates, education providers need structures that help them stay steady and responsive. Rethinking governance, planning future workforce needs and adopting digital-first models all play a part.
With the right design, organisations can move through change with confidence and stay focused on what matters: delivering for learners today while preparing for tomorrow.
Áine Logan serves as an Advisory Partner at Grant Thornton, where she leads the firm’s Transformation Excellence service line and heads the People and Change team.
W: www.grantthornton.ie
