IT strategic planning on the way

New five-year plan is aimed at uniting UW IT operations

The IT strategic planning process is officially under way and is expected to continue until April 2013. The goal of the strategic planning process is to set direction and priorities for all of UW-IT, as well as providing  the UW campus community with the opportunity to help set that direction.

The project is led by UW’s recently appointed chief information officer Dave Wallace and Andrea Chappell, director in Information Systems Technology (IST).

The planning includes a dynamic and constantly evolving strategic plan that will amalgamate IT-oriented priorities from strategic plans across campus and assist with the integration of core IT services to fulfill the opportunities for the University of Waterloo over the next five years.

Wallace stated that “the planning process provides opportunity to reflect on our environment, rejuvenate our passion and capacity in high quality IT, and lay the groundwork for improved collaboration to better serve our diverse campus.”

“The plan is for the entire university, not just IST,” said Chappell. “Extensive work has been done to look at the mid cycle review and other campus strategic plans to try to capture IT needs, priorities, and opportunities for the future.”

She continued by declaring,  “Over the next few months we are committed to continuing to create opportunities for the campus community to provide their feedback to shape the plan.”

A university-wide open house is also planned for Wednesday Dec. 5 at 10:30 a.m. in DC 1302. It will be an open event and will be an opportunity to hear more about the plan, share feedback, and help shape IT priorities for the university.

For those who cannot attend the open house, follow the conversation at #uwit or email questions and comments to itstrategicplan@uwaterloo.ca.

“I encourage all members of the Waterloo community to help shape the plan by participating in consultations, online forums, conversations with us, or by email,” stated Wallace.

The IT strategic plan will try to improve the services campus wide.

—With files from  Natalie Cockburn