DLSPH Open: DLSPH launches first Operational Plan
March 23/2018
Dear colleagues,
I am pleased to share with you the Faculty’s first Operational Plan.
Click here to read the Operational Plan (2017-2020)
First, a word on how we got here. One of the recommendations following the 2016-17 University of Toronto Quality Assurance Process (UTQAP) was to develop an Operational Plan based on our strategic plan. The purpose of the Operational Plan is to ensure clear operational direction for the DLSPH, not to establish new strategic directions. This plan does not replace the strategic plan nor the need for an academic plan.
The School cannot create a strategic plan while we have interim leadership so we have also used the operational plan as the opportunity to focus our efforts on implementation of our existing effort. By taking a tactical approach using project management techniques, we’re continuing the School’s forward momentum and delivering on our strategy.
Thus, in July 2017, the School began the process of developing an Operational Plan to guide us from 2017 to 2021. A firm was hired to assist the School in creating a streamlined operational direction for the DLSPH that harmonized the School’s draft strategic plan, the UTQAP external review report, the UTQAP administrative response, IHPME’s strategic plan and other foundational documents. The School’s academic leadership and faculty in both graduate units were engaged in the Operational Plan preparation process.
The result is an Operational Plan with four priority areas with clear deliverables, schedules and any associated risks.
Here is a high level overview of priority areas and deliverable outlined in the Operational Plan:
- World-Class Governance & Administration
- Including a renewed focus on DLSPH Administration, decreasing administrative burden and more active engagement with alumni and donors
- Investments in People & Relationships
- Including strengthening relationships and connections between DLSPH units, partnerships with U of T faculties, and national and international partnerships related to Strategic Research Initiatives
- Program & Process Excellence
- Including a coordinated effort to reduce the PhD completion time to align with (or below) the U of T average along with a plan to provide guaranteed financial support for the duration of PhD degrees
- Strategic Research Initiatives
- Continuing progress in priority areas, including: Integrating Public Health and Primary Care; The Health of Indigenous Communities; and Innovation in Health System Policy
The plan was finalized in January 2018, approved at both faculty meetings and at School Council. The Dean’s Office is actively tracking Operational Plan progress, and we’ve moved forward with many deliverables to ensure the stability and success of the School, particularly around changes to School management and processes to enhance effectiveness and efficiency.
This is a living document and we will continue to engage with our community around progress and updates as needed. I’m grateful to all members of the DLSPH who have worked diligently to address the recommendations from the UTQAP review and for getting us to this point.
I encourage everyone to review the Operational Plan available here on the website and please contact me with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Adalsteinn Brown
Interim Dean, Dalla Lana School of Public Health
Dalla Lana Chair in Public Health Policy