Information Technology Services (ITS)

The IT@UofT Strategic Plan Annual Report (2021) was released on November 25, 2021. It highlights ITS’ work and achievements and our collaborative efforts with unit and divisional partners from September 2020 to August 2021.

In early April, Information Technology Services (ITS) launched a new self-paced training course that allows the IT@UofT community to view and track project details within the department.

The online course — called IT@UofT Strategic Plan Delivery Dashboard — is divided into short micro-lessons so that users can learn about the dashboard and complete the course at their own pace. To take the course, visit: SuccessFactors.

Read more about the IT@UofT Strategic Plan Delivery Dashboard training here.

The IT@UofT Strategic Plan Annual Report (2020) was released on Nov. 26, 2020. Review progress updates as they align with the IT@UofT strategic plan thematic pillars: People, Solutions and Collaboration.

The sudden shift in the higher education information technology (IT) landscape in response to the impacts of COVID-19 resulted in a monumental digital transformation and the acceleration of many of our initiatives. It also drove new priorities to the forefront. With the growing requirements for remote access to administrative and academic services, staff within Information Technology Services (ITS) and across the IT@UofT community continue to innovate and work together to meet evolving and diverse needs.

In July 2020, Information Technology Services (ITS) provided an overview of its reporting dashboard on Google Data Studio as well as the use of ServiceNow’s Project and Portfolio Management (PPM) tool to the Enterprise IT Update Committee (EITU). (Learn more about ServiceNow’s PPM tool).

This strategic plan delivery progress and reporting update was delivered in a presentation by Vikram Chadalawada, senior manager, Student Information Systems and IT@UofT Strategic Plan Delivery. Chadalawada discussed ITS’ progress on tracking and reporting IT@UofT Strategic Plan-related projects using Google Data Studio Reporting Dashboard. There are currently 252 active projects at an overall completion rate of almost 55 per cent complete.

The committee expressed interest in getting involved in using ServiceNow to implement a system that tracks their respective divisional IT projects and eventually all IT projects across U of T. The group expressed a great interest to meet again and discuss establishing policies and groundwork to create a tri-campus approach to organizing and reporting on all IT projects.

Started in April 2020, ITS staff began using ServiceNow’s Project and Portfolio Management (PPM) tool to track all projects, record milestones/targets, identify Strategic Plan initiatives and produce reports in a variety of ways. Learn more about the tool.

On March 12, 2020, ITS directors, managers and project managers gathered to discuss departmental progress, updates and next steps with regards to the IT@UofT Strategic Plan. The goals of this meeting were to address the initiative identification process, discuss areas for improvement and explore managers’ roles in engaging their staff. Through interactive activities and discussion, these leaders shared ideas and information that will help all ITS teams continue to advance the pillars in the strategic plan in a unified manner.

ITS staff during all managers meeting in March 2020

ITS staff during all managers meeting in March 2020

ITS staff talking around a table during all managers meeting in March 2020

ITS staff during all managers meeting in March 2020

ITS staff during all managers meeting in March 2020

ITS staff during all managers meeting in March 2020

ITS staff during all managers meeting in March 2020

Creating a culture of continuous learning and professional development is an important part of the IT@UofT Strategic Plan. In January, the 2020 Leadership Development Program was launched to highlight professional development opportunities as they relate to ITS Core Values and the strategic plan pillars. The courses included: The Art of Leadership for Women, Building Support for Successful Change Projects and LEADS 360 Degree Feedback Assessment. The offerings filled up quickly, but stay tuned for information on other courses coming soon.