Management Accountability Framework (MAF) V (2007-2008) 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.

Overall, the MAF Round V (2007-2008) assessment was positive for the CFIA. The Agency obtained either a Strong or Acceptable rating in 12 of 16 areas of management against which it was assessed in Round V.

For more information about MAF Round V Assessments, visit the Treasury Board web site at http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/maf-crg/assessments-evaluations/2007/ica/ica-eng.asp.

The Agency received a Strong rating in the following areas:

• Effectiveness of Corporate Risk 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:

• Effectiveness of the Corporate Management Structure
• Effectiveness of Extra-organizational Contribution
• Quality and Use of Evaluation
• Quality Reporting to Parliament
• Effectiveness of Information Management
• Effectiveness of Information Technology Management
• Effectiveness of Internal Audit Function

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

• Utility of the Corporate Performance Framework
• Quality of Analysis in Treasury Board Submissions
• Citizen-focused Service

The Agency received an Attention Required rating in the following area:

• Effective Management of Security and Business Continuity

TBP recommended three management priorities for the CFIA to focus on in 2008-2009:

1. Utility of the Corporate Performance Framework

Recommendations:

• Ensure that the Program Activity Architecture and Strategic Outcomes comply with the Management, Resources and Results Structure Policy
• Ensure that the Program Activity Architecture supports overall program management and effective resource allocation.

CFIA Response: The Agency is currently revising these components and will submit a revised Program Activity Architecture to Treasury Board in Spring 2009.

2. Effective Management of Security and Business Continuity

Recommendations:

• Complete a business impact analysis to identify and prioritize CFIA’s critical services and assets
• Implement business continuity plans, measures and arrangements
• Achieve full compliance with the Management of Information Technology Security Standard

CFIA Response:

• Business impact analyses have been completed for all CFIA critical business services and assets.
• A National Service Prioritization List of all critical services has been developed and is ready for approval by the President.
• Business Continuity Plans and Arrangements will be complete in March 2009.
• The CFIA has been asked by other federal departments and agencies to share its methodology as a best practice.

3. Citizen-focused Service

Recommendations:

• Improve the measurement of client satisfaction for all services, using the Common Measurements Tool
• Improve its active service offering in both official languages
• Ensure all Common Look and Feel 2.0 standards are implemented

CFIA Response:

• The CFIA has proposed formal mechanisms to measure client satisfaction for all of its services. All consultations are posted on Service Canada’s Consulting with Canadians web site.
• The CFIA has developed a plan to address those Agency offices without bilingual capacity and will report upon it annually.
• The Agency is meeting its deadlines to ensure its client-based applications and web pages are Common Look and Feel 2.0 compliant.

The CFIA was also recommended to improve upon a 4th area of management, namely, Quality of Treasury Board submissions.

CFIA Response: The CFIA will improve its performance in this and all areas of management in order to strengthen the management of Agency resources and its accountability for results.