Every planning cycle begins with the community sharing what they need, challenges to overcome, and what would make their work easier. The hard part is turning that input into clear decisions and follow-through. This strategic planning cycle is designed to facilitate that journey through smaller, facilitated conversations and a tighter set of questions, to develop a five-year plan.
Compared with the last planning cycle that took place in 2020, Information Technology is approaching the exercise differently:
- Tighter scope: Three key questions focused on strengths, challenges and envisioning the future, allowed for topic deep-dives, and richer, focused discussions.
- Smaller conversations: Twenty-two focus groups, each made up of approximately seven students, staff, and faculty members, provided thorough representation across the community and gave participants plenty of time to share feedback and join in meaningful discussions.
- Expert support: Building on what we learned last cycle, the Kirwin Group is helping guide the process with a proven framework to add structure, drive decision-making, and bring clarity to next steps.
- Proven progress: With the last plan, we delivered on key priorities. Community feedback communicated clearer governance, stronger security practices, and more consistent enablement and collaboration, which helped set a positive tone and facilitated open discussions for this new cycle.
Lee-Anne Hupé, Lead business analyst, who is guiding and coordinating the exercise, notes, “Participants are coming to consultations willing and open-minded to discuss digital campus transformation. Their openness and thoughtful feedback are essential to not only help us identify strengths and challenges, but also to ensure the plan reflects the real needs and aspirations of our community. This engagement is what drives meaningful progress and makes our strategic planning process truly collaborative.”
What’s emerging so far
With are focus groups’ participants open and willing to engage in meaningful discussions, they are giving us practical input on what’s working, where friction shows up, and what would make support more consistent.
The feedback gathered is important to determine what happens next. Early this spring, we also consulted Information Technology staff, as key enablers of the transformation. The feedback is being compiled, and results will be validated and reviewed before developing a one-year operational plan, with the goal of having a five-year strategic plan by early summer. This plan will truly reflect our community, as your inputs shape our priorities, and the strategy that follow. We are committed to continued engagement, transparent progress reporting, and adapting our strategy to evolving needs. Together, we are laying the foundation for a digital campus transformation, stay tuned and keep participating!