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
A Connected McMaster Community Initiatives
- IT Asset Management
- One IT Service Desk – Strategy
- Cohesive IT Community & Culture Strategy
- IT Career Framework Strategy
- Modern Desktop Management
- Project Management Office – Strategy
- One IT Service Desk – Implementation
- Cohesive IT Community & Culture
Implementation - IT Career Framework Implementation
- Project Management Office Implementation

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
Seamless Foundation Initiatives
- Mosaic System Enhancements
- Research, Teaching & Learning Technology Infrastructure Strategy
- Cybers Security Roadmap & Strategy
- Data Centre & Firewall Strategy
- Campus Storage & Backup Strategy
- Web Delivery & Development Strategy
- Digital Spaces Strategy
- Cyber Security Roadmap Implementation
- Research, Teaching & Learning Technology Infrastructure Implementation
- Data Centre & Firewall Implementation
- Campus Storage & Backup Implementation
- Digital Spaces Implementation

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
Transformative Information Technologies and Services Initiatives
- Microsoft O365 Roadmap
- Document Management & Workflow Strategy
- Data Governance & Data Management Strategy
- Contact / Customer Relationship Strategy
- Research Technology Services Review
- Mobile Applications Strategy
- Microsoft O365 Roadmap Implementation
- Document Management & Workflow Implementation
- Data Governance & Data Management Implementation
- Contact / Customer Relationship Implementation
- Research Technology Services Review Implementation
- Mobile Applications Implementation
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.

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.

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.
Mosaic System Improvements - Outputs & Next Steps
- Digital micro moments created by participants are being reviewed by key Mosaic stakeholders based on functional streams and will go to EATC for evaluation and will be prioritized and added to the pipeline for planning.
- In progress projects:
- New Grad Admissions System
- MacBuy Phase 2
- HR Digitization Program
- Student Ancillary Fees Opt-out
- Exam Scheduling Enhancement
- Mosaic – rapid release process
- Next planned Initiatives:
- Wait listing (pilot complete)
- Mosaic RISO – Religious, Indigenous and Spiritual Observances
- Enhanced onboarding processes between Mosaic and Avenue to Learn (LMS)
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.
Identity and Access Management - Outputs & Next Steps
Digital micro moments created by session participants will be reviewed by the IAM project team following the initial project phase to inform further project priorities.
- Next planned Initiatives:
- Mosaic Multi-factor Authentication Pilot Project
- IAM Roadmap Development
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.
Microsoft Office 365 Strategy - Outputs & Next Steps
Ideas are being categorized and the community will be updated as priorities are identified based on their input
- August 2019, launched office365.mcmaster.ca to help McMaster community navigate O365 offering
- Digital micro moments created by session participants will be reviewed by respective teams to inform further project priorities.
- In progress:
- AVP and CTO team working to develop roadmap based on community input
- Communication planning to expand campus awareness about Office 365.
- Ad hoc implementation of Teams across campus underway
- Use cases are being gathered for implementation of other 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.
Data Centre & Firewall Consolidation - Outputs & Next Steps
- A comprehensive inventory activity was deemed important in order to develop a benchmark and roadmap for data centre consolidation, including clarity on the definition of a data centre.
- An Advisory Committee was suggested as a means of continued engagement for constituents
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.
Campus IT Support Model - Outputs & Next Steps
- Form a cross campus IT working group to understand and gather more information about the end user perspective. This group will recommend next steps and collaborate on a proposal for advancing the campus IT support model.
- A ‘one IT’ website was discussed and ideas and short-term opportunities will be investigated.
- Additional follow-up conversations and working group activities will be explored for the next McMaster IT Forum (details TBC)
- Design Thinking Workshop held on August 9 with IBM and campus constituents to explore AI and other possibilities for campus support.
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.
Document Management - Outputs & Next Steps
- Campus use cases and SharePoint experts are currently being sought with a view to explore a ‘proof of concept’ initiative to help demonstrate what is possible.
- Suggestions for a community of practice to bring SharePoint expertise together to share best practices and opportunities for implementation.
- A project proposal will be developed for a Document Management Discovery and Request for Proposal (RFP). This proposal will be reviewed for endorsement through the IT Governance framework.
- Records management requirements will be reviewed against the University Secretariat records retention policies and best practices and may require their own initiative.
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.
IT Community & Culture - Outputs & Next Steps
- Various short-term opportunities have and will be created to enable further connection and collaboration among the McMaster IT community:
- AVP and CTO McMaster IT Summer Social – June 26
- Tech Tuesdays – weekly drop-in sessions with McMaster AVP & CTO Gayleen Gray
- Planning for the annual McMaster IT Forum (details TBC) and related activities
- Further discussions to be held to find ways for the IT Community to take ownership of campus IT culture and community development
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.
Mobile Apps/Virtual One Card - Outputs & Next Steps
- Mobile apps analysis project currently underway with completion in early fall 2019.
- Mobile apps purchase and implementation proposal to be developed as a result of the analysis project and will go through IT Governance for evaluation and endorsement Fall 2019.
- Meeting of key stakeholder units will be held this summer to discuss more specifics related to a Virtual One-Card strategy.
- A Virtual One-Card advisory committee will be developed to recommend next steps.
- Digital micro moments created by session participants will be reviewed by respective teams to inform further project priorities.
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.
Transformative Classroom Technology/Teaching and Learning Systems and Support - Outputs & Next Steps
- Form a multidisciplinary campus advisory committee to review the information collected
- Based on ideas that were gathered, and further engagement with faculty and students, develop recommendations that can be evaluated and prioritized as new initiatives.
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.
Digital Spaces - Outputs and Next Steps
- The Digital Spaces committee will review the artefacts including digital micro moments, collected at the engagement session to determine if there are any near term initiative potential and provide feedback to the community.
- The Digital Spaces committee will continue to focus on tactical changes to enhance current infrastructure.
- As new buildings are planned, digital spaces concepts will be recommended and sought.
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.
Client Relationship Management - Learn More
- Planned Initiatives
- Form a CRM Working Group to develop an initiative proposal for review through the IT Governance Framework for September 2019.
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.