FMI Professional Development Days

PD Days Season Opener and Annual General Meeting
(September 22, 2011)

The day will commence with a key note speaker. (TBD)

PD Session to start at 8:30 to 3:00 PM:
***BE PREPARED*** - THE NEW DAYS OF FISCAL RESTRAINT

While departments and agencies have dealt with resource adjustments associated with the end of the Economic Action Plan, there are ongoing challenges such as frozen operating budgets.  Add to the mix implementation of Strategic Reviews, and the anticipated results of the Strategic and Operating Review, the financial community has an opportunity to play a leadership role in this era of fiscal restraint.  The goal of this session is to share experiences and practical examples on how departments are managing within this environment.  Special attention will be given to the role of financial management advisors and the tools they need to help clients.

Annual General Meeting
3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Management Accountability Framework (MAF) – Feeding the Beast!
(October 12, 2011) -  National Arts Centre, Panorama Room

The Management Accountability Framework (MAF) session will provide insight into Central Agency assessment of departments rating on the 10 accountability elements of the MAF.  The focus of the day will be on the financial components of the MAF.  Speakers will be from the Treasury Board Secretariat; the Office of the Comptroller General to discuss the criteria used is assessing departments. Information will also be provided on how to best represent your department in the assessment process. A panel of representatives from various government departments will provide the audience a perspective on the experience of other organizations and lessons learned.  Please join us in a discussion of great importance to of all federal government departments. 

Investment and Project Planning: The Insiders View!
(January 19, 2012) -  National Arts Centre, Panorama Room

An emerging practice sector that involves significant culture change; this professional development session will focus on the importance of reallocating limited resources to new and existing assets and provide insight to best practice methodologies.

Profiling the new TBS Policies on Investment Planning and the related Management of Projects, we will highlight some of the challenges and opportunities with the phased-in implementation approach, keeping in mind the approaching deadline, April 1, 2012.

This session will cover the various components of project/portfolio complexity, the value of life-cycle management, best practices for proposal assessment (the Gating Process), mechanisms for financing, and some of the organizational considerations for attaining performance and sustainability. Learn why successful best practices depend on strong engagement and relationship building skills between those who manage project management offices and the program managers.

Learn from shared experiences and techniques to build your investment and project management capacity!

Reporting of Management, Resources and Results
(February 9, 2012) -  National Arts Centre, Panorama Room

This professional development day will focus on Reporting of “Management, Resources and Results”.  The management of public funds is supported by effective planning, budgeting, monitoring and reporting, which is based on reliable information and the sound analysis of that information.  As public servants we have been tasked to ensure that the government and Parliament receive integrated financial and non-financial program performance information to support improved allocation and reallocation decisions in individual departments and across the government.  Join us as we share information and techniques that organizations can use to mitigate financial risks and reduce the impact on departmental financial planning and reporting.

Sharing of Best Practices – Keys for Success
(April 12, 2011) -  National Arts Centre, Panorama Room

This professional development day will focus on the sharing of information, sharing of Best Practices.  Wikipedia states that, Best Practices are generally-accepted, informally-standardized techniques, methods, or processes that have proven themselves over time to accomplish given tasks.  Contribute by committing to sharing best practices that you’ve developed. Included topics in the discussion will be Budget Management Frameworks, Internal Controls, Financial Policies, Key Performance Financial Indicators and Costing of Internal Services.  Don’t duplicate effort. Come and share proven techniques and information that multiple organizations can benefit from, and share your best practices.

The Art of Maximizing Workforce Potential
(May 10, 2012)- Gatineau Congress Centre

This professional development day will be provided predominantly in French.

The sound management of public funds and human resources is essential in public organizations. Good knowledge of roles and responsibilities will improve the workplace and contribute to professional and personal wellbeing.  Aligning the management of performance and career paths will support the goals of the organization and its employees. The current trend is to emphasize performance indicators rather than training.

"Public servants are responsible for their own learning plans; managers are responsible for giving the opportunity to learn.  Learn how to improve your competencies to benefit your organisation and staff towards supporting excellence. The professional development day will be provided predominantly in French.

Challenges for Internal Audit & Program Evaluation
(June 7,  2012) -  National Arts Centre, Panorama Room

In recent years, internal audit and evaluation have received additional funding and increased attention from senior management resulting in better transparency and an overall improvement of internal controls, risk management practices and governance. The return to a balanced budget sends a strong signal that the government will emphasize greater fiscal responsibilities while providing the same service level to Canadians.

The goal of the day will be to debate the value proposition of internal audit and program evaluation in a time of limited resources. How can audit and evaluation executives better support the deputy ministers, focusing on internal controls, risk management practices and governance and improving management practices?

How Government Works! & Season Closing/Networking
(June 21, 2012) -  National Arts Centre, Panorama Room

PD Session 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
In this session we will examine the roles and responsibilities of departments, the PMO/PCO, Department of Finance and the Treasury Board Secretariat. The day will focus on developing the government’s agenda through the Speech from the Throne and the Federal Budget and on translating government priorities into action through Memoranda to Cabinet and Treasury Board submissions. Another important aspect of the machinery of government is effective reporting to Parliamentary committees. The day will end with a discussion on the role of the Deputy Minister as Accounting Officer, and the evolving role of the Chief Financial Officer.

Season Closing Event/Networking 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM