Mo Elbestawi, Vice-President,
Research and International Affairs.

MAPPING OUR STRATEGY

McMaster’s Research Enterprise is composed of several important areas whose expertise, diligence, and complexity determine the great level of success we celebrate today.  In order to strategically analyze, capture, and carefully reflect upon the important work of all component areas, we need an integrated view. 

Our vision must cover the scope of the entire Research Enterprise, in support of the University as a whole. In an attempt to provide a balanced and multi-dimensional view, a small team has been consulting and working to build a Strategy Map for the Research Enterprise.

The Strategy Map is meant to be a living, dynamic document that reflects our vision, mission, and key goals. It will have an important role in clarifying our vision and mission, and in translating our broad strategies for achieving goals into a set of critical objectives. In addition, the Strategy Map can align activities and resources with strategic priorities, encourage dialogue, provide a shared understanding of activities, and serve as a useful tool for clear communication to all our diverse units. 

The design of the Strategy Map reflects four Focus Areas: Stakeholders, Financial, Internal Processes, and People & Tools.   Each area is accompanied by Objectives which describe what must be done well in order to effectively implement our strategy.  All four areas are interrelated and together provide the elements necessary to achieve our mission.  

It is no accident that “People” appear at the foundation of the Strategy Map structure.  The research world is one of increasing complexity.  We have assembled a team of professional staff who partner with our research community, providing ongoing support in several important areas.  Their work is invaluable.  Together with our talented researchers, they all provide the crucial foundation of the entire Research Enterprise.  Without them, it would not be possible to attain the formidable success to date, or enjoy the significant achievements we know will be realized as we journey forward.

Now that we have a Strategy Map and Objectives in place, further work will be done in identifying ways that we can gauge our progress.   Currently, we are working on a small set of high-level performance indicators.  As we move forward, we will consult further and develop more granular indicators.   Efforts will be made to provide a qualitative and quantitative blend of performance indicators that are reflective of inputs and processes, as well as outputs and outcomes.   Our work will be guided by the overarching principle “leave room for qualitative judgment”.  As Einstein said:

Not everything that can be counted counts;

   And not everything that counts can be counted.

Mo Elbestawi
Vice-President, Research & Interational Affairs
McMaster University

Our Research Strategy Map