How we got here

Our 2020-2025 strategic plan is built on evidence, and informed by our community. 

Waterloo embraced a robust, dynamic, and transparent planning process over 18 months to develop our 2020-2025 strategic plan.  

As Waterloo's first strategic plan (2013-2018) drew to a close, Waterloo leadership used 2018-2020 as a bridge to developing the 2020-2025 strategic plan. This provided an opportunity to create an evidence-based process with broad stakeholder consultation, guided by an advisory committee with representation from Waterloo's stakeholder groups. 

Download a copy of our 2013-2018 strategic plan [pdf download].

Development timeline

This timeline provides a brief description of each step in the 2020-2025 strategic plan development process.

  1. 2018
    1. Apr
      1. 2020-2025 Evidence-gathering and preparation

        Seven issue papers [required login, pdf download], developed by more than 150 faculty, staff, and students

        2013-2018 Strategic Plan Outcomes Report [pdf download]

        Reports and briefs

    2. Sep
      1. Consultations, survey, and input

        36 face-to-face consultations involving more than 800 faculty, staff , students, alumni, and Board of Governors members

        Internal survery with over 2,000 responses 

    3. Nov
      1. Analysis of input and contributions

        Qualitative analysis of all input, identified 70 key statements, vision, and values

  2. 2019
    1. Jan
      1. Priority development

        Preliminary goals and objectives identified

    2. Feb
      1. Synthesis - Advisory Committee, deans, and leadership

        Concept mapping to sort and prioritize key statements

        Initial development of goals and objectives

    3. May
      1. Leadership refinement - deans and leadership

        Goals and objectives refined and reviewed for relevance and actionabilty by university leadership and experts

    4. Jun
      1. Strategic Plan document development - staff and leaders

        Staff work with Provost and other leaders to write strategic plan

    5. Oct
      1. Strategic Plan approved

        Building on this process, Strategic Plan, including goals and objectives, developed and approved by Senate and Board of Governors