Novosibirsk State University NSU Implements Turnkey Solutions to Increase Labor Productivity

Novosibirsk State University has joined the federal project “Labor Productivity”, aimed at optimizing workflows in Russian universities. At NSU, they chose process “Effective Building Management”. Currently, the working group is engaged in diagnosing it and preparing to implement changes that will help improve the organization of the educational process and enhance the quality of the schedule.

The federal project “Labor Productivity” is part of the national project “Efficient and Competitive Economy.” It is based on turnkey solutions: universal methodological recommendations and ready-made tools developed on the principles of lean manufacturing. They help universities optimize auxiliary processes, reduce operation times, and free up resources for more complex tasks without loss of quality.

In the second half of 2026, seven more universities across the country joined the implementation of off-the-shelf solutions, including NSU. Also joining the project were DSTU “VOENMEKH” named after D.F. Ustinov, Saratov State Technical University named after Y.A. Gagarin, Southern Federal University, Novgorod State University named after Yaroslav the Wise, Petrozavodsk State University, and Siberian Federal University.

What NSU is working on

At NSU, the process “Effective Management of Buildings” was selected, and the working group was formed from employees of the Academic Policy Department. The project involves several consecutive stages: initiation, diagnosis of current processes, implementation of improvements, and evaluation of the results obtained.

In the first stage, participants underwent training in lean manufacturing tools. Then the team moved on to diagnostics, during which they reviewed the results of surveys of teachers and students about the quality of the schedule. The feedback made it possible to identify problem areas that need to be addressed in the next two months.

Margarita Medvedeva, the expert of the boxed solutions project at NSU, the project manager of the Industry Competence Center at FSBSI “Sociocenter”, notes that the main task now is the consistent improvement of the existing process.

— As part of the second stage, “Diagnostics,” the working group was presented with the results of the survey of teachers and students on the quality of the schedule, and a number of problematic issues were identified that need to be improved over the next two months during the implementation phase. — explains Margarita Medvedeva.

Based on the results of the work, the team will re-measure the indicators to assess the effect of the implemented changes. One of the main outcomes of the project will be a regulation governing the scheduling process. It will allow the updated work procedure to be formalized and made more systematic.

How the work on the project is organized

An important part of the project lies not only in identifying problems but also in forming a unified approach to organizing work processes. Off-the-shelf solutions provide universities with a ready-made methodological framework that can be applied taking into account the specifics of a particular university.

At NSU, the project is being implemented with consultative support. The working group employees study lean manufacturing tools, analyze user feedback, and identify directions for improving the scheduling process.

— It is worth noting that all members of the group are professionals with extensive experience and a deep understanding of their workflows. At the same time, colleagues are ready to improve their approaches, learn new things, and apply new knowledge in practice., — Margarita Medvedeva recounts.

Thus, participation in the project gives NSU the opportunity not only to identify organizational challenges but also to establish a more transparent and regulated process. After implementation is completed, the team will be able to assess the changes based on new indicators and determine how much the chosen solutions helped improve the university’s operations.

Boxed solutions for universities

A large-scale project to increase labor productivity in higher education started in 2025. By 2030, the measures are planned to be implemented in 100% of the country’s state and municipal universities. It is also planned to establish at least 250 best practices.

Universities that became pilot sites in 2025 and early 2026 have already received initial results. Among these are a reduction in the time required to issue certificates and the creation of prototypes of multifunctional centers based on structural units.

For NSU, participation in the project will be an opportunity to apply lean manufacturing tools to everyday university processes, improve the organization of scheduling, and consolidate successful changes in a unified regulation.