Management Accountability Framework (MAF) IV (2006-2007) Action Plan Summary

The Management Accountability Framework (MAF) outlines the Treasury Board's expectations of senior public service managers for good public service management. It is structured around ten key elements which define the necessary conditions to ensure government is well-managed and to promote management excellence.

The Treasury Board Portfolio conducts annual MAF assessments of individual government departments and agencies to identify management strengths and weaknesses and enable deputy heads to strengthen the performance of their organization.

The MAF IV (2006-2007) Assessment for the CFIA was very positive. Overall, the Agency improved its rating in seven areas or categories over the previous year. The Agency received a Strong rating in the following areas:

• Effectiveness of Corporate Risk Management
• Effectiveness of Information Technology Management
• Effectiveness of Asset Management
• Effective Project Management
• Effective Procurement
• Effectiveness of Financial Management and Control

The Agency received an Acceptable rating in the following areas:

• Integrity of the Corporate Management Structure
• Effectiveness of Extra-organizational Contribution
• Quality of Program and Policy Analysis
• Quality and Use of Evaluation
• Managing Organizational Change
• Effectiveness of Internal Audit Function
• Citizen-focused Service

The Agency received an Opportunity for Improvement rating in the following areas:

• Utility of the Corporate Performance Framework
• Integration, Use and Reporting of Performance Information
• Effectiveness of Information Management

The TBP recommended that the CFIA focus its efforts upon three management priorities for 2007-2008:

1. Utility of the Corporate Performance Framework

Recommendations:

• Extent to which the organization’s Strategic Outcomes and Program Activity Architecture are consistent with its mandate
• Clarity and measurability of the organization’s strategic outcomes

CFIA Response:

• The Agency is working with Treasury Board to revise its Management, Resources and Results Structure, Program Activity Architecture and associated Performance Measurement Framework.

2. Integration, Use and Reporting of Performance Information

Recommendations:

• Extent to which integrated management information from financials, HR, payroll, asset and real property and program performance information systems are readily accessible for corporate decision-making.
• Extent to which clear and integrated performance expectations in the Agency’s Report on Plans and Priorities are tracked and reported on in the Departmental Performance Report.

CFIA Response:

• The Agency is updating its Performance Measurement Framework and key performance indicators to meet current management needs. An examination of the Agency’s processes to establish, monitor and report upon performance indicators will be completed at all Program Activity Architecture levels.
• A description of the Agency’s operating environment, risks, challenges and opportunities, as well as the Corporate Risk Profile has been integrated into the CFIA’s 2008-2009 Report on Plans and Priorities. The Agency will continue to align its Report on Plans and Priorities with the Departmental Performance Report and effectively integrate risk into corporate planning.

3. Effectiveness of Information Management

Recommendations:

• Degree of implementation of an Information Management strategy which, for large departments, is based upon a capacity assessment.
• Extent to which critical information is secure and an effective privacy regime is in place, monitored and managed.

CFIA Response:

• The Agency has started a project called Information Management (IM) Way Forward. When complete, this project will address deficiencies in existing IM tools, increase awareness, provide enterprise and operational reporting support to all programs, and introduce data stewardship within all business lines.
• The Agency has promoted IM awareness to staff and communicated how staff is responsible and accountable for the information they create and receive.
• The Agency has reviewed its Electronic Document Management System and is now aligning it to better support business activities, accountability and management of information holdings.
• The Agency’s ATIP Office has addressed reporting gaps as specified in the Treasury Board Implementation Report No. 107. The ATIP Office will consult all Implementation Reports when submitting future Annual Reports to Parliament.

In addition to the above priorities, the CFIA continually strives to improve its performance in all MAF Areas of Management in order to strengthen the management of Agency resources and accountability for results.