The Lookbook Project

Context

Between 2020 and 2021, the institution initiated a critical transition from Sakai to Brightspace due to infrastructure limitations and the need for a more scalable learning environment.

This was not just a user-facing change. It required:

• Course migration across multiple faculties

•  Alignment with instructional standards

• Coordination across technical, academic, and administrative teams

While faculty experienced the transition on the surface, significant system implementation work was happening behind the scenes to ensure continuity and stability.

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Challenge​

The challenge existed on two levels:

1. Human Adoption

* Faculty resistance due to change fatigue
* Emotional frustration tied to rebuilding courses
* Low engagement with traditional training approaches

2. System Implementation

* Large-scale migration of course content and structures
* Tight timelines requiring rapid execution
* Risk of disruption to active teaching environments
* Need to maintain quality and consistency during transition

Balancing both simultaneously required a strategy that addressed people, process, and platform.

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Strategy & Approach

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I introduced a dual-layered approach:

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Change & Adoption Strategy

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Grounded in the ADKAR Model, focusing on:

 

• Awareness

• Desire

• Adoption through autonomy and engagement   

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Implementation Coordination

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Behind the scenes, I worked across teams to:

• Support course migration workflows

• Align timelines with academic schedules

• Ensure continuity of learning experiences during transition

• Reduce friction points impacting faculty experience

This ensured the front-end experience matched the stability of the back-end execution.

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​Innovation: The Lookbook Model

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To transform engagement, I developed The Lookbook Project, a curated, exploratory experience inspired by retail browsing.

Instead of forcing faculty through structured training, the Lookbook:

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• Showcased real Brightspace course examples

•  Highlighted new capabilities compared to Sakai

• Allowed self-directed exploration

• This repositioned the transition from a requirement to an invited experience.

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​Change Champions & Peer-Led Adoption

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I identified and partnered with early-adopter faculty to serve as change champions.

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• Worked with them one-on-one to build their courses in Brightspace

• Established a pilot group representing multiple faculties

• Featured their real courses within the Lookbook

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This created:

• Social proof through peer success

• Increased trust and credibility

• A natural support network for other faculty

 

Execution

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•  Designed and curated Brightspace course exemplars

•  Integrated real faculty courses into the Lookbook

•  Created an intuitive, low-pressure browsing experience

•  Coordinated migration efforts behind the scenes to ensure stability

•  Enabled peer-to-peer engagement through change champions

•  Maintained alignment with instructional and quality standards

 

Anticipated Risks & Mitigation Strategy
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• 1. High Resistance to Change
  → Mitigated through human-centered design and autonomy-driven engagement

• 2. Migration Complexity & System Instability
  → Mitigated through behind-the-scenes coordination, structured migration workflows, and cross-team alignment

• 3. Overwhelm & Faculty Burnout
  → Mitigated through curated content and simplified pathways

• 4. Lack of Trust in the New Platform
  → Mitigated through peer-led examples and change champions

• 5. Inconsistent Course Quality
  → Mitigated by embedding best practices into all exemplars​
   

Results & Impact​

•  Transitioned 2,000+ courses within a compressed timeline

• Reduced faculty resistance early in the rollout

• Increased engagement and confidence in the new platform

• Maintained continuity and stability during system migration

• Established a scalable adoption model across faculties

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Leadership Takeaway

This project required balancing two realities:

Flawless execution behind the scenes…and a seamless, human-centered experience on the surface.

Because successful transformation isn’t just about implementing systems,it’s about ensuring people are willing to move with them.