Creating Organisational Innovators: The Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Online Certificate
- Details
- Written by Peter Carr
Technological innovation is viewed as more strategically important to organisations today than it has been in the past. Being able to change products, services and processes in response to higher levels of competition and rapidly advancing technology is a challenge for most organisations in the private, public and not for profit sectors. At the University of Waterloo, we are developing a new online certificate programme that is intended to support the development of organisations’ technology oriented innovation capability. We are looking for feedback from the CIO community on our new programme design.
The technology startup world is often seen as a good initial point for considering how larger organisations can become more innovative. Many organisations have launched initiatives that seek to apply their approach, including the development of their own skunkworks, where new ideas can be developed into new products or new businesses, based on startup thinking. Steve Blank’s ideas for the Lean Startup have become popular in corporate boardrooms and other large organisation forums. Many of the concepts and tools from the tech startup world will be valuable in established organisations.
Our new programme, which we have initially titled The Certificate in Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship, is focussed on developing the capabilities of managers and technology oriented professionals in contributing to technologically based innovation, enabling them to become more effective contributors to digital transformation. The programme will contribute to the creation of a more innovative technology oriented environment that will be more attractive to highly skilled information technology professionals.
The programme will be offered online. We can now offer high quality online education environments that feature intensive collaboration between participants and close involvement of an effective instructor. Most busy managers and professionals can’t devote large amounts of time to travelling to and from distant campus classes. Programmes can now be offered to globally based, diverse groups of participants. Our successful programmes in Project Leadership and Social Media for Business Performance have been doing this for the past ten years and this experience will be used in our new programme design.
The programme design that we have so far begins with consideration and refinement of ideas for innovation. Analytical tools are introduced to do this and the Lean Startup approach’s emphasis on getting out and talking to people who will be affected is emphasised. Establishing the value of the idea proposed and maximising its potential impact is stressed.
Understanding how the innovation will impact and possibly change the business model of the organisation is, we believe, an important aspect of innovation. Connecting the innovation to the rest of the organisation and understanding how the organisation may change as a result, is essential in considering whether the innovation is a desirable one and how it may be effectively implemented. Alex Osterwalder’s Business Model Canvas is used as a basis for this module.
Once a potentially beneficial idea has been identified, skills in making it happen become critical. Managing innovation related change is often seen as difficult and so the programme will focus on equipping participants with skills that will help them do that, including the use of metrics and analytics that will guide their progress. As they work through a 9 week online programme (which we expect will require about 10 hours of work per week), participants will work on an innovation idea for their own organisation, sharing their thoughts with other participants and the instructor in or online innovation incubator and getting feedback.
Skills in financially justifying innovations will also be introduced, as part of a module on gaining the resources necessary to put an idea into practice. Processes for proposing ideas to approval bodies will be learned.
The programme will also focus on the skills needed for organisational growth. Organisations will usually see innovation activities as part of a broader strategy of development. It is often thought that organisations have failed to maximise the potential of innovations that they have made and that this has limited the benefits that have been received in terms of organisational performance and societal contribution, especially in job creation. The programme will include content that will address this.
Work on the programme has started and it is planned that the first delivery will commence in January 2018. We will greatly value input from Chief Information Officers on how it will best meet the needs of today’s organisations.
Peter Carr’s work focusses on the impact of information technology in society and its application within organisations. He is the Director of three online certificate programs at the University of Waterloo in Technology Entrepreneurship, Project Leadership and Social Media for Business Performance, for working professionals.
Past Attendees
ADP - VP Architecture & Infrastructure
AESO - VP, Information Technology
Agnico Eagle Mines - VP, IT
Agrium - Global Mgr., IT Security
Agrium - Senior Director IT Shared Services
Aimia - SVP & Global CIO
Ainsworth Engineered - Director IT
Air Canada Vacations - Director IT
Alberta Energy Regulator - Director, Office of the CIO
Anthem Properties - VP IS
AON Risk Solutions Canada - Head of IT
Avison Young - VP Global Enterprise Architecture & Integration
Aviva Canada - VP, Architecture & Strategy
Bank of America Merrill Lynch - CTO
BC Ferry Services - VP & CIO
Bell Business Markets - Director, Strategy & Planning
Bell Canada - National Director, Digital Transformation
Bellatrix Exploration - Director, Information Technology
Bentall Kennedy - VP IT
BFL CANADA - CIO
BFL CANADA - Director, Cybersecurity & IT Risk Management
Black Press - CTO
BlackBerry - VP Corporate IT
BMO Financial Group - Director, Technology & Operations Transformation
BMO Financial Group - Head of Services Delivery
Bombardier Aerospace - CISO
Bonavista Petroleum - Head of IT
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP - Global CIO
Bow Valley College - Director, IT Services
Bridgewater Bank - Head of IT
BuildDirect - VP IT
Bulk Barn - Head, IT
Burnco - CIO
Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec - VP, IT Planning, Architecture, Governance, Operations
Calfrac Well Services - Head of IT
Canada Goose - CTO
Canada Live - VP of Technology
Canada Mortgage and Housing - VP, Information & Technology
Canada Protection Plan - Head of IT
Canadian Depository for Securities - CIO
Canadian Direct Insurance - CTO
Canadian Payments Association - VP & CIO
Canucks Sports - Head of IT
Capgemini - Service Delivery Director
CAPREIT - CIO
Cardel Homes - VP MIS
Cargojet - CIO
CBI Health Group - CIO
CCS Corp. - VP IT
CDSPI - Board Director
Centerra Gold - Director IT & Comm
CI Global Asset Management - VP of Enterprise Infrastructure $amp; Operations
CIBC - Senior Director, Infrastructure Planning & Engineering
CIBC - SVP & CIO, Retail and Business Banking Technology
CIBC Mellon - AVP, Enterprise Architecture
CIBC Mellon - SVP & CIO
Cineplex Entertainment - CTO
City of Brampton - Senior Manager, IT Architecture & Planning
City of Richmond Hill - CIO
City of Toronto - Director of Strategic Planning & Architecture
CN Rail Service - Chief Information Security Officer
Coast Capital Savings - VP Technology
Colliers - Head of Technology & Data
Concordia University - AVP & CIO
Crescent Point Energy - Head of IT
Dairy Farmers of Ontario - Head of IT and Administration
Dale Parizeau Morris Mackenzie - VP, IT
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP - Director, Information Technology
DealerTrack Canada - Director, Technology
Defence Construction Canada - Corporate Manager, IT
Deloitte - Director, Risk Advisory
Dentons - Canada CIO
Devon Energy - Director, Integrated Business Services
Direct Cash - VP IT & Security
Dynamic Tire Corp - CIO
D+H Partnership - VP, Head of Canadian Mortgage Technology
eHealth - EVP, Technology
eHealth Ontario - VP, IT Systems & Services
Encana - Director, InfoSec
Enbridge Inc. - VP, Technology and Information Services
Enerflex - CIO
Enerplus - VP. IS
ENMAX - VP, IT & PMO
Equitable Bank - CIO
Equitable Bank - CISO
Equity Financial Trust - VP, IT
Essential Energy Services - Director, IT
Expedia Cruise Ship Centers - VP IS
FGL Sports - VP, Information Technology
Finastra - SVP, Head Technology Managed Services
Fix Auto Canada - COO & SVP
Flightnetwork.com - CIO
Freedom Mobile - Head, Customer Applications, Experience, & Strategy
FT Services - CIO
FundServ - CIO
Genus Capital Management - CTO
Genworth Financial Inc. - VP IT
Geotab - Board Member
Golder Associates - CTO
Gran Tierra Energy - Director IT
Grant Thornton LLP - CIO
Grand River Hospital - Director, Data Governance & Analytics
Greenwin Inc - VP, Information Technology
Groupe Dynamite - Director, IT
GSK Canada - IT Director
GTAA - Acting CIO
H&R Block Canada - VP IT
Haventree Bank - VP, Technology
Hewitt Equipment Ltd. - VP & CIO
Hitachi Vantara - GVP & Global CTO
Home Trust Company - CIO
Home Trust Company - CTO
Home Trust Company - VP & CISO
Horizon North Logistics - CIO
HSB Canada - VP IT
IBM Canada - Associate Partner, Payments Industry
Indigo Books and Music - CIO
Interac Corp - Director, Platform Engineering
ivari - SVP & CIO
JP Morgan Chase Canada - Executive Director, Information Risk Management
Keyera Energy - Director, Information Technology
KFC Canada - CTO
KnowledgeOne - CIO
LaFarge Canada - Director, IT
Landmark Cinemas Canada - VP, IT
LAWPRO - CIO
LCBO - Director, Applications Systems
LCBO - SVP & CIO
Leisureworld Senior Care Corp - VP IS
Lifeguard Digital Health - Chief Security & Informatics Officer
Loblaw Companies Ltd - Senior Director, Customer Engagement Technology
London Drugs - GM IT
Loto-Quebec - Corporate Director, InfoSec
Magna International Inc - VP & Global Leader, IT (CIO)
Manulife - Global Head of Private Markets & Real Estate Technology
March Networks - VP Professional Services & CIO
MaRS Discovery District - Managing Director, Fintech and Commerce
McCain Foods Limited - Manager InfoSec
McInnis Cement - Director of Information Technology
Medical Pharmacies Group - VP, Information Technology
MEG Energy - Manager, Information Technology Solutions & Services
Metrolinx - EVP & CIO
Minto Group - VP IT
MMM Group - CIO
Montreal Police Service - CIO
Morguard Investments - CIO
Moulding & Millwork - CIO
MullenLowe Group - Global CIO
National Bank of Canada - Information Security Officer
National Capital Commission - Chief, IT infrastructure & Support Services
NHL Players' Association - Head, Security & Technology
Northbridge Financial Corp - CIO
OEC Group Canada - Vice President, Information Technology and Client solutions
ODAIA - CEO
Oildex - VP, Architecture & Infrastructure
OPTrust - AVP, Enterprise Data Services
Olympia Financial Group - CIO
OMERS - EVP, Data & Technology
OMERS - SVP IT
OMERS - SVP, Data & Advanced Analytics
Ontario Pension Board - CTO
Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan - SVP, Product & Delivery
Ontario Trillium Foundation - CIO
Osum Oil Sands Corp - Manager, IS
Ottawa Police Service - CIO
Pacific Western Transportation - CIO
Packers Plus - Global IT Director
Pason Systems - Manager, Digital Communications & Corporate IT
Patient News - CTO
Peel District School Board - CIO
Pengrowth Corp - Director IS
Penn West Exploration - Snr. Manager, IT Operations
Peterson Investment Group - Head of IT
PFB Corp. - CIO
Pizza Pizza - CIO & VP, IT
Precision Drilling - VP, IT
Precision Drilling - Director, IT Infrastructure & Security
PSP Investments - Snr. Director, Internal Audit & Business Infosec
Public Works and Government Services Canada - Director, IT Security Directorate
PwC - Managing Director, Real Estate Technology Advisory
Pythian - CTO
Qantas - Global CIO
Queen's University - Director, Information Technology
RBC Royal Bank - Head of Application Security, Data Protection & Security Consulting
RBC Royal Bank - VP, Technology Platforms & Risk Management
RBC Royal Bank - Global Cybersecurity VP
Regal Lifestyle Communities - CIO
Revera Inc. - CIO
Revera Inc. - Security Architect
Rheem Manufacturing - CISO & Enterprise Architect
Ricoh Canada - VP,IT
RioCan Property Services - VP IT
Roche - Head of IT Americas – Operations
Rogers Communications - SVP, Customer Experience IT
ROM - CIO
Russel Metals - VP,IS
Salvation Army Canada - Board Director
SCI Group - CIO
Scotiabank - Head, Systems Architecture & Platform Modernization
Scotiabank - VP - International Systems Technology
Scotiabank - Head, System Architecture & Platform Modernization
Scotiabank - Global Head, GBM Compliance & Transformation
Sears Canada - Divisional VP, Information Technology Services
Secure Energy Services - GM, IT
Shaw - Head, Customer Applications, Experience, & Strategy
Shaw Communications - VP, Technology Operations
Shaw Communications - Director, Risk Management
SMART Technologies - Director, IS Corporate Services
Smartcentres - Director IS, IT
SmartOne Solutions - President & CIO
Societe de Transport de Montreal - Division Head - Security and Compliance
Street Capital Financial - CIO
Sun Life Financial - AVP, Data & Business Intelligence Services
Sun Life Financial - VP Application Ops & Services
Sunco Communication - COO
Suncor Energy Inc. - Director, Application Portfolio Optimization, I&PM, Business Services
Symcor - CTO, VP Technology Services
Talisman Energy - SVP IT & Business Services
TD Bank - Enterprise Architect
Teknion - SVP, CIO
TELUS - Chief Security Architect
Tervita Corporation - VP, Information Technology
The Hudsons Bay Company - VP Technology
The Hudson's Bay Company - SVP & CIO
The Source - VP, Information Technology
TMX Group - CISO & Global Head of Infrastructure Services
Toromont Industries - VP & CIO
Toronto District School Board - Chief Technology Officer
Toronto Hospital for Sick Children - Director of Technology
Toronto Parking Authority - CIO
Toronto Police Services - CISO
Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) - Chief Enterprise Architect
Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) - CIO
Toyota Canada - National Manager, IS
Transamerica Life Canada - CIO
Trican Well Services Ltd. - Director, Business Information Systems
Tridel Corporation - CIO
Trillium Health Partners - IT Director, Applications & Clinical Informatics
UFA Cooperative - VP & CIO
University of Calgary - Executive Director, Development Services
University of Ottawa - CIO
University of Ottawa - Senior Director IT Services & Infrastructure
University of Toronto - Director, Centre for Management & Technology
University of Waterloo - Director, Technology Entrepreneurship
Valencia Risk - Managing Director
Vancity - VP Technology & Solutions
Viterra - Director Enterprise Technology
Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company - Director of Innovation Outpost
World Health - Director IT
Wolseley Canada - CIO & COO
WSIB - Board Director
Yellow Pages Group - Director - Enterprise Data Management
York Region District School Board - CIO
York University - Board Director
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