Project-based strategic plan pays off for Niagara Region
Councillors on the corporate services committee were the first to see a glossy snapshot of how successful the Niagara Region was in meeting its objectives this term of council.
Maciej Jurczyk, director of internal controls and organizational performance, delivered the report, which detailed progress made toward six strategic priorities for economic prosperity set at the beginning of the term.
“With hindsight, I argue that having a project-based strategic plan was actually quite wise — as opposed to a thematic or the mebased strategic plan,” Jurczyk said. “The reason I say that is because projects have a defined start and end date and are specific and outcome-based. Progress can be measured, and it allows for transparent reporting to council and the Niagara residents.”
The priorities were broken down into six areas: moving people and goods; fostering innovation, investment and entrepreneurship; building a labour-ready workforce; positioning Niagara globally; doing business differently and advancing organizational excellence.
Jurczyk said each priority was broken down into about 30 projects.
“This council created the strategic plan for this term,” chief administrative officer Carmen D’Angelo said. “It was a forward and inspiring look at the transition of Niagara as a community. From the strategic plan, 30 aggressive and ambitious projects were established. We worked collaboratively as staff to bring it across the finish line.”
Jurczyk said the report provided the objective of each project, the significant milestones over the past four years, the results of the project and the impacts and outcomes.
The report can be viewed at https://www.niagararegion.ca/ priorities/documents/councilstrategic-priority-projects-termin-review-2015-18.pdf ?topic=1.
“This time around we took a bit of a different approach,” Jurczyk said. “This report is really a term in review. We wanted to provide a final update, as we were nearing the end of the council term as each of the 30 projects were either completed and moved into an operational phase as well.”
Among projects highlighted were “The Provincial Commitment to GO Rail Expansion” under the moving people and goods priority, which will bring GO service to Grimsby by 2021, and to St. Catharines and Niagara Falls by 2023.
Jurczyk also made note of the “Bend the Curve for Ontario Works Caseloads” under building a labour-ready workforce.
The innovative project, which has attracted interest from Queen’s Park, included a skills inventory to match Ontario Works clients to local labour market needs and get residents back to work.