Rob Dowler, Corporate Chief Strategist and Assistant Deputy Minister Responsible for Enterprise Information Technology Strategy, Policy and Planning, E-government, Controllership and Excellence/Education for the Province of Ontario

Episode Overview

Among other topics, Rob discusses the following issues with Metis Strategy

• How a federated IT structure allows the organization to act vertically within business units- or ministries- as well as horizontally across the government
• The mature strategic planning process the Government of Ontario employs in order to ensure the efficient use of tax-payer money
• How hosting an “internal consulting function” allows the organization to flexibly allocate permanent employees within the government based on project needs at “whole-sale” cost
• The importance of maintaining metrics in order to ensure the organization stays on course
• The shift in desired skills of future employees, and how those employees should be prepared to be “great enablers of public service delivery”

Rob Dowler’s Biography

Rob is the Corporate Chief Strategist and Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for enterprise Information Technology strategy, policy and planning, e-government, controllership and excellence/education for the Province of Ontario.

Prior to taking on his current position, Rob served as a Policy ADM in the Ministry of Government Services and in the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services. Before joining the OPS, Rob was an Urban Planner with the Corporation of the City of Ottawa. He also worked in the private sector as a Management Consultant.

Rob is a Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners, a Registered Professional Planner and a Professional Land Economist.

Rob has won various awards including: the Amethyst Award for outstanding achievement; the IPAC Award for Innovative Management; the U.S. National Consumer Agency Achievement Award; two U.S. Achievement in Consumer Education Awards; the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario’s Recognition Award; the Canadian Institute of Planners National Award for Planning Excellence and a Showcase Ontario Diamond Award.

Rob is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors and has served as a director on several private boards including: Tarion Warranty Corporation; the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council; the Electrical Safety Authority; the Technical Standards & Safety Authority; and the Ontario Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund.

He holds a Masters of Science degree from the University of Toronto, and an Honours B.A. from Queen’s University. More recently, Rob has successfully completed the Executive Program at York University, the Queens Public Executive Program and a Strategic Management Program at Harvard University.

Rob is married with two children. He is a keen triathlete, canoeist and runner who has successfully competed in the Boston marathon and the Canadian Half Ironman. In his spare time, Rob has coached hockey and is a keen sponsor of various charities.

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