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Office of the AVP & CTO

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Implementation

The McMaster IT Strategic Vision is a long term, enduring goal that is purposefully aspirational. The corresponding strategic pillars provide a critical framework for an interrelated set of objectives and initiatives. The strategic pillars are reflective of the McMaster IT Strategic vision to which we aspire.

Access all the details of the McMaster IT Strategic Plan

Download the plan

Strategic Pillars

Each strategic pillar conveys key elements that must be achieved for the IT Strategic Plan to be successful.

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A Connected McMaster Community View Initiatives

McMaster’s cooperative and transparent approach to prioritizing and funding information technologies for the institution will include aligned leadership and partnerships across campuses, allowing the institution to reach its highest potential by drawing on the expertise of our talented IT community, enabling engagement, adaptability, and connections at all levels of the institution.

Key Objectives

  • Institutional Adaptiveness
  • One IT Community
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Seamless Foundation View Initiatives

A standardized, scalable, secure and integrated technology infrastructure is the necessary foundation for transformative information technologies and services at McMaster. This ‘rock solid’ and seamless environment of core capabilities will be fostered through coordination across IT service areas and will provide McMaster with valued and high performance information technologies.

Key Objectives

  • Optimized IT Infrastructure
  • Enhanced Productivity Systems
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Transformative Information Technologies and Services View Initiatives

McMaster‘s evolution as a 21st century institution will depend on strategic solutions based on leading edge technologies and innovations, and investments in strong data integrations and automation tools to create ‘delightful’ technologies and world class experiences for students, faculty and staff.

Key Objectives

  • Expedited Collaboration and Decision Making
  • Reimagining the McMaster IT Experience

Decision Making

The McMaster IT Strategic Plan was endorsed by IT Executive within the context of the existing IT Governance framework and the McMaster Budget Planning Cycle. The IT Executive endorsed the Vision, the Strategic Pillars and the Objectives with the expectation that all proposed initiatives will be submitted for endorsement through the IT Governance model, and all funding will be reviewed through the Budget Planning Cycle.

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McMaster IT Strategic Plan

IT initiatives coming forward should reflect the themes and elements of the McMaster IT Strategic Plan, including the three pillars of a Connected McMaster Community, Seamless Foundation and Transformative Information Technologies and Services. All initiatives identified within the McMaster IT Strategic Plan and proposal submitted by the community will use the strategy as a guiding framework. New sections have been added to the Governance Project Proposal template to capture details to support the alignment.

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IT Governance Framework

Initiatives will continue to go through IT Governance processes for collaboration, prioritization,  consultation and endorsement, with details on strategic alignment, cost, resources and expected business outcomes. Identification of strategic pillar alignment will be a necessary requirement for all proposals: Connected Community, Seamless Foundation, Transformative Information Technologies and Services. Coordinating with the budget cycle, new initiatives should begin to be developed in winter/spring for the following fiscal year.

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Budget Cycle

The McMaster Fiscal year runs from May 1st to April 30th.  Funds to begin new approved initiatives become available on May 1st. Strategic proposals and initiatives are required to look ahead for appropriate fiscal planning and reporting. Many of the initiatives identified in the McMaster IT Strategic Plan have a discovery phase and the outcome of these projects are integrated in the planning for the next fiscal year. Budget planning for the following fiscal year is completed in November, and this also represents the mid-way point for approved projects.

ENGAGEMENT OUTPUTS

The McMaster IT Strategic Plan (2019 – 2021) launched on January 23, 2019, and a list of 2019 IT strategic initiatives was immediately prioritized and endorsed through IT Governance. As part of the McMaster IT Strategic Plan (2019 – 2021), campus engagement sessions were held to assist with the analysis, assessment and planning necessary. During the summer of 2019, the Office of the AVP and CTO brought together constituents from across McMaster to share their input and ideas. Click on the cards below to learn more about engagement session outputs and next steps.

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Mosaic System Improvements Outputs & Next Steps

Campus Engagement April 30, 2019

McMaster constituents learned about recent activities to improve functionality in Mosaic. Other current initiatives related to systems linked to Mosaic were discussed. Ideas for continued enhancements and improvements, including shorter-term enhancements were shared.

Identity and Access Management Outputs & Next Steps

Campus Engagement May 7, 2019

McMaster constituents received an update on the Identity and Access Management (IAM) system replacement project.  Input focused on priorities for the new system, such as Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Process Automation and Single-Sign-On (SSO), etc.

Microsoft Office 365 Strategy Outputs & Next Steps

Campus Engagement: May 9th and 17th, 2019

McMaster constituents learned about Office 365 features and provided input towards a strategy for rolling out our Office 365 implementation. Participants were excited about Office 365 collaboration and potential efficiencies offered by the tools.

Data Centre & Firewall Consolidation Outputs & Next Steps

Campus Engagement: May 24th, 2019

McMaster constituents convened to discuss requirements for campus data centre technology and operational efficiency. Elements explored included security, business continuity and disaster recovery capabilities, facilities reduction, energy management and cost reductions.

Campus IT Support Model Outputs & Next Steps

Campus Engagement: May 21st, 2019

McMaster constituents engaged in a robust conversation on what a new, seamless IT support service model could look like and how could it be delivered. Participants explored the existing McMaster IT Support model with a view improve the end user’s experience through new communications, processes, tools and resources.

Document Management Outputs & Next Steps

Campus Engagement: May 30, 2019

Document management proved to be the hottest ticket in the McMaster IT Strategic Plan engagement sessions series! A record number of attendees joined to discuss and explore requirements for a McMaster Document Management System. Document management can include the ability to store, search, share, protect and create workflows and automated processes for electronic or digital documents.

IT Community & Culture Outputs & Next Steps

Campus Engagement: May 24th, 2019

McMaster IT Community constituents discussed the benefits of a campus wide IT culture to support the roll out of the McMaster IT Strategic Plan and for mutual benefit. Participants explored methods for better utilizing current collaboration channels and opportunities to connect to learn from and support each other.

Mobile Apps/Virtual One Card Outputs & Next Steps

Campus Engagement: May 23rd, 2019

McMaster constituents received an update on the mobile apps project and explored the interests and potential for a campus-wide one card system.

Transformative Classroom Technology/Teaching and Learning Systems and Support Outputs & Next Steps

Campus Engagement: May 28th, 2019

McMaster constituents received an update on current activities related to classroom technology updates and initiatives related to the campus review of the Learning Management System. They then weighed in on transformative classroom technologies and strategies we could explore to enhance and delight students and instructors in the classroom.

Digital Spaces Outputs and Next Steps

Campus Engagement: May 28th, 2019

McMaster constituents learned about the CISCO Smart Building Occupancy proof of concept that was endorsed by IT Governance and is currently underway. Ideas for additional digital spaces initiatives were explored and included items that would simplify user experiences, boost individual productivity and automate and optimize buildings and spaces.

Client Relationship Management Learn More

Campus Engagement June 27th & June 29th

McMaster constituents received an update on CRM activities to date, including last year’s CRM Discovery Analysis and the McMaster Centre for Continuing Education CRM RFP project. Participants discussed necessary planning and preparation activities in order to ensure the campus is ready for a CRM implementation. A number of near term activities were outlined.

Tracking Progress

There are many endorsed McMaster IT Initiatives already underway. McMaster campus members can learn more and check the status and progress of these projects here.

 

Check Progress