• 6.1. develop a strategic plan that aligns with its mission, vision, and long-term objectives, articulating key objectives and priorities for the planning period.

    The OCQAS has a formally approved Strategic Plan 2025-2030 that aligns closely with its mission, vision, and values. The plan was developed collaboratively with input from the Management Board, the OCQAS staff, and invested parties across the Ontario Public College System. The Management Board approved the plan in September 2025, following sector consultations.

    The development of the Strategic Plan followed a structured and consultative process, as outlined in the OCQAS Strategic Plan 2025-2030 Development Process, which included sector-wide engagement, input from key partners, and iterative refinement through Management Board review prior to final approval.

    The Strategic Plan sets a clear long-term direction through four overarching strategic goals:

    1. Provide Training and Capacity Building for Colleges,
    2. Provide Excellent Service,
    3. Develop and Manage the OCQAS Brand, and
    4. Market the Quality Assurance of the Ontario Public College System as Represented by the OCQAS.

    Each strategic goal is supported by measurable objectives, tactics, and performance metrics, directly aligned with the OCQAS’s mission to guide, educate, and support Ontario’s public colleges in building a sustainable culture of quality assurance and continuous improvement.

    The plan articulates both operational and developmental priorities that position the OCQAS as a responsive and future-focused quality assurance agency. It embeds international engagement, AI innovation, invested party outreach, and transparency as strategic enablers to ensure ongoing relevance and excellence in quality assurance practice.

    The previous Strategic Plan 2021–2024, similarly emphasized service excellence and sector communication. While maintaining these foundational priorities, the 2025–2030 Strategic Plan places increased emphasis on strengthening the OCQAS brand and enhancing the visibility and market positioning of Ontario’s college quality assurance framework nationally and internationally.

     

  • 6.2. create detailed operational plans that break down strategic objectives into tasks, specify timelines, resources, and responsibilities, and establish measurable goals and performance indicators.

    The OCQAS operationalizes its strategic priorities through annual organizational objectives, which serve as the operational plan for each fiscal year. These objectives are structured under the same strategic goals as the long-term plan and are approved by the Management Board each year.

    Each annual organizational objectives document (e.g., Organizational  Objectives 2023-2024, Organizational  Objectives 2024-2025, and Organizational  Objectives 2025-2026) specifies:

    • Strategic Priority – Goals;
    • Objectives; and
    • Performance measures for each activity.

    The Executive Director develops the annual plan and budget in consultation with the Board Chair. The Management Board reviews and approves the plan (Minutes of Meeting where Organizational Objectives were approved 2023-2024, Minutes of Meeting where Organizational Objectives were approved 2024-2025, Minutes of Meeting where Organizational Objectives were approved 2025-2026), providing guidance and sometimes co-defining performance indicators to ensure the metrics align with the Board’s oversight needs and the sector’s expectations.

    Progress against these objectives is reviewed bi-annually, and outcomes are reported to the Board (Minutes of Meeting where Organizational Objectives  were reported on 2023-2024, Minutes of Meeting where Organizational Objectives  were reported on 2025-2026 ) Performance measures examples include institutional satisfaction, number of training initiatives, engagement metrics, AI tool development milestones, and feedback analyses.

    This structure ensures a seamless link between strategy and day-to-day operations, promoting accountability and continuous improvement.

  • 6.3. have a detailed and adequate budget that covers all aspects of its operations.

    The OCQAS maintains a comprehensive annual budget that aligns directly with its strategic and operational objectives. The Executive Director develops the budget each year, often in consultation with the Board Chair, ensuring resource allocation supports the planned priorities, staffing, and innovation initiatives outlined in the Strategic Plan and annual objectives.

    The Management Board reviews, provides feedback on, and formally approves the budget (Minutes of Meeting where Board approves Budget 2024-2025, Minutes of Meeting where Board approves Budget 2025-2026). The Board may request adjustments or clarification before approval to ensure that all expenditures align with the agency’s mission and long-term priorities.

    The budget covers all operational and developmental activities, including staff compensation, special QA projects (AI explorations), communication and outreach. The Executive Director and team track expenditures throughout the year, while budget updates are presented to the Management Board bi-annually as part of the overall financial review (Minutes of Meeting where Board Mid-Year Financial Review 2024-2025, Minutes of Meeting where Board Mid-Year Financial Review 2025-2026).

    This approach ensures financial sustainability, transparency, and accountability, supporting the agency’s ability to deliver its quality assurance functions effectively.