At my institution we advocate a "culture of data" and track and report on indicators similar to the ones listed as Institutional Data here. There are absolutely vital to strategic planning, not just for new academic programs but for every move the Institute makes.
One challenge I've found is getting data from withdrawals or prospects who choose not to enroll. I'd love to have a more active pipeline into objections and reasons for withdrawals, but the usual instruments (surveys, phone calls, text messages) don't often work because those constituants have busy lives in which they've already decided my Institute doesn't fit. I'd love to hear how others get those data.
Thanks!
