Skip to main content

Cornell University

Cornell Experience Modernization Initiative

As common as possible, as different as absolutely necessary

Gap Apps and Enterprise Tools Design Team

Think of gap applications as the digital equivalent of duct tape solutions—custom, homegrown tools created by colleges, departments, or units to handle tasks that the university’s core systems couldn’t do. Over time, Cornell has developed hundreds of these applications, each solving a specific need but collectively creating a complex web of shadow systems that are increasingly difficult to maintain and secure.

As part of CEMI, an analysis is being done to understand why the gap applications were needed in the first place. This analysis will help ensure the future enterprise systems include the essential functions our community requires, supporting CEMI’s goal of creating comprehensive, integrated solutions.

Approach

A dedicated team is working to catalog the gap applications and understand their purposes to identify:

  • Which functions are truly unique to Cornell
  • Which features must be included in the university’s new enterprise systems
  • Where we have common needs across units
  • Where process redesign or consolidation might be needed

 

Key Update

Quarter 2, October – December:

  • Classified the Workday gap application inventory, by Workday functional area and by Workday domain.
  • Discussed applications with Cornell functional and business solution users to capture their proposals, such as keep, retire, or replace the applications.
  • Completed reviews of gap applications with Huron, validating assumptions and identifying where additional discussions or desing consideratin is warranted.
  • Launched a pain point accelerator and engaged the Ithaca-based University Leaders Operations Group. These department administrators identified more than 30 pain points to be brought forward to the relevant CEMI vertical leads.

 

Next Steps

Quarter 3, January – March:

  • Conduct target validation sessions with functional leads, by Workday area, to finalize recommendations for each application, such as redesign, integrate, modernize, or retire.
  • Inform CEMI and Workday Administrative System planning and decision-making teams of the gap application recommendations.
  • Identify cross-domain and One Cornell topics for appropriate program or leadership routing.

 

Early Insights

By February 2026, the Gap Applications design team’s work reflected extensive cross-campus collaboration. Focused on Workday-related applications, functional and technical stakeholders across Finance, HR, Budget, and Research Administration from Ithaca and Weill Cornell Medicine partnered with the design team to collect and share data about their applications and processes.

This work is already revealing opportunities to simplify processes, reduce duplication, and prepare for what’s next.

Design Team Leads

Harish Babu Chava
Director, Administrative Computing
Information Technology Services
Weill Cornell Medicine

Jerry Philip
Associate Director, Business Analysis
Information Technology Services
Weill Cornell Medicine

Becky Joffrey
Director of Digital Innovation & Strategy
Ithaca-supported campuses

Ester Soriano
Assistant Director for Strategic Engagement and Business Systems Integration
Ithaca-supported campuses

Erica Lynn Ellis
Assistant Director, Strategic Business Enablement
Ithaca-supported campuses

CEMI’s Six Vertical Focus Areas or Workstreams

a table with six legs

Achieving a seamless digital environment across Cornell will require coordinated progress on six interdependent initiatives — like building all six legs while simultaneously raising the table.

 

Channels within the Technical Workstream

 

Shaped by the Cornell Community: Get Involved

Contribute your skills and experience to the Cornell Experience Modernization Initiative (CEMI). Community members know the current processes and systems best—and what it’s going to take to change how we do things.

Get involved: ask a question, suggest improvements, add your insights to a CEMI effort, volunteer for an activity, or join the mailing list.

A CIS PhD student works in Gates Hall.

Visit the Program Teams page to meet more of the Cornell community members shaping the CEMI program.