Planning Lehigh’s annual allocation of resources is a task that requires numerous people across campus. In the past it has also required many systems and processes.
To create an integrated and unified budget planning, reporting and forecasting system, the university recently implemented a new platform – RAPTOR (Resource Allocation Planning Tool for Operational Reporting) – that creates significant process improvements to streamline and standardize resource planning across campus.
About RAPTOR
RAPTOR will provide a single source of truth for budget and financial data and a unified set of tools for many budget process tasks. It integrates regularly updated data from Banner, providing accurate information and timely reporting capabilities. RAPTOR also enables Lehigh to bring together processes that are currently accomplished through several separate practices. These include budget request approvals, the annual salary review process, and long-term forecasting. A new quarterly projection process using RAPTOR was also introduced at the beginning of 2025.
Why It Matters
As we witness continued financial and enrollment challenges in higher education, strategic resource allocation is more important than ever. The standardization, efficiency and improved data access provided by RAPTOR will allow everyone involved in the annual resource planning process to better understand university spending in real time. The system’s capabilities will advance two crucial foundational initiatives of the Lehigh Strategy: building an organization of the future and consistently using data to inform our decision making.
What To Expect Next
Staff and faculty whose work is directly impacted have been receiving training and regular updates as RAPTOR has been implemented. The work of implementing RAPTOR will span the current and future fiscal year. See the chart below for a breakdown of expected milestones.
For more information about RAPTOR, visit the Budget Office website.