Capital Asset Improvement Plan (PAPI)

As stewards of a physical legacy, we enable the University to achieve its mandate by providing a campus that is safe, beautiful, clean, inspiring and environmentally and fiscally sustainable. Facilities has aligned with uOttawa’s strategic objectives.

The University's strategic priorities are established by the Vice-Chancellor and the President. These priorities are the foundation which governs the PAPI process.

• Leverage the strengths and expertise of our internal community and promote engagement and mobilization. 
• Offer an exceptional quality education and experience in both official languages. 
• Conduct influential research in service to the community in both official languages.
• Enhance the reputation, reach, and impact of our university in Ottawa-Gatineau, Ontario, Canada, and internationally by strengthening external relations and development. 
• Reinforce our position as a leader in Ontario's, Canada's, and the international Francophonie. 
• Commit resolutely and respectfully to the revitalization of Indigenous knowledge, languages, and cultures and the Indigenization of the campus. 
• Provide transparent, efficient, and flexible budgetary models and administrative services that prioritize the teaching and research mission.

The University of Ottawa plans and executes a significant amount of infrastructure projects annually across each campus through its Capital Improvement Program known as “PAPI” (Plan d’amélioration du parc immobilier). University Facilities maintains a 5-year rolling plan, which captures requirements of stakeholders with focus on academic, research, and infrastructure enhancements.  The Plan has been developed through a risk based, data driven lens to prioritize submitted projects. Projects are evaluated based on University priorities, validated through stakeholder meetings, and consolidated on the PAPI demand list. Please note that all previously unapproved requests must be resubmitted if they remain a priority for consideration, as they will no longer be carried forward automatically. A total of three submissions per faculty or service will be considered in this PAPI cycle.

Following the completion of the PAPI list consolidation process, the process follows the Governance structure established for approvals.

PAPI follows a schedule driven by milestones which spans over a calendar year.

When preparing the PAPI project submission it is important to consider the main components that make up a project. A good request doesn’t always require technical detail—just clear intent, honest constraints, and openness about uncertainty. This allows Facilities to translate your needs into realistic options and better outcomes. Submissions should align with Faculty or Service Development Plan and include any existing documentation completed prior to the PAPI submission, such as studies, space layouts, concepts, quotes, or other relevant materials that support the project request and provide additional context.

PAPI project submissions must be completed through the TOPdesk Project Request form.

Please note that all previously unapproved requests must be resubmitted if they remain a priority for consideration, as they will no longer be carried forward automatically.  

Each submission must: 

1. Be categorized under the appropriate PAPI stream: PAPI 1, PAPI 2, or PAPI 3.
2. Include a completed PAPI Prioritization Matrix within the TOPdesk request form. Be sure to use the matrix corresponding to your project’s PAPI stream for the submission to be formally reviewed.
3. Complete the TOPdesk request form to the best of your ability. Refer to the PAPI Submission Guidance section above for support in developing the project scope, schedule, budget, stakeholder list, and supporting reference documents.

For any questions relating to the PAPI application, process or if you would like to book a meeting with a PAPI expert, please contact Clayton Robichaud at [email protected].