The schedule for the evaluations is based on requirements of the Government of Canada's Policy on Results of the Financial Administration Act, and Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) commitments as well as an analysis of all other direct program spending, risks, needs and priorities. This evaluation plan aligns with the National Research Council of Canada's (NRC) Departmental Results Framework and was developed in consultation with members of the NRC's Senior Executive Committee.
2023-24 highlights
Completed evaluations
- TRIUMF
- Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation Programs – collaborative research and development initiatives
- Security and Disruptive Technologies Research Centre
- Biologics Manufacturing Centre
Evaluations informed decision-making
- All NRC clients surveyed agreed that evaluations addressed important questions and provided evidence to support strategic or operational decisions.
- Policy and program design, resource allocation and transition planning are being informed by evaluations.
- Clients also agreed that timing of preliminary findings met their needs.
Leadership in practice
- Furthering engagement with the external evaluation community: Participated in the 2023 Canadian Evaluation Society (CES) national conference and the annual learning event as presenters and attendees.
- Supporting the development of emerging evaluators and the profession: Contributed to the CES Student Case Competition, to the Student and Emerging Evaluator Network, the organization of CES national conference and to the Credentialed Evaluator (CE) designation review process.
- Supporting the measurement of NRC impacts: Collaborated with Performance Measurement and Accountability Reporting (PMAR) to develop an NRC impact framework and new assessment methods.
Maintaining high standards
- Delivered evaluations in accordance with professional standards and the Policy on Results directive.
- All NRC clients found evaluation project teams to be professional at all times.
- Clients unanimously agreed they were kept informed and given opportunities to provide feedback throughout the evaluation process.
- 88% of peer reviewers agreed that they would recommend participation in an NRC peer review.
Continuous improvement
- Responding to the Neutral Assessment of the Evaluation Function, developed and began piloting:
- quality assurance process review
- career path for evaluation staff
- calibration approach along with process map review to streamline evaluation projects
- additional guidance and early engagement of research centers to help them plan ahead and be prepared
- Participated in artificial intelligence (AI) evaluation-specific training and emerging communities of practice. Explored the use of the NRC's Generative AI Zone.
- All evaluators have taken a group training on effective oral briefing and presentation skills.
Priorities and actions for 2024-25
Evaluations in process
- Digital Technologies Research Centre
- Clean Energy Innovation Research Centre
- NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) Intellectual Property (IP) Assist
- the NRC's International Strategy
- Horizontal Evaluations (not led by the NRC):
- Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan
- Youth Employment Strategy
Upcoming evaluations
- Construction Research Centre
- Medical Devices Research Centre
- Horizontal Evaluation (not led by the NRC):
- Addressing Air Pollution Initiative
What we do
- Deliver evaluation projects that support the NRC in the achievement of its mandate.
- Provide independent, timely and forward-looking insight to management on research centre and program relevance and performance.
- Provide support to other areas of the NRC through advisory services.
How we do it
- Maintain organizational awareness and involvement in new and evolving priorities, and identify opportunities to add value.
- Seek opportunities to continue to reduce the burden on research centres, branches and NRC IRAP.
- Review and optimize the use of allocated resources and work approaches.
- Maintain an employee centric approach including promoting work life-balance, recognition awards, well-being, training and development opportunities.
Meeting policy requirements
- Providing input into TBS exercises such as the Capacity Survey on Results and the Management Accountability Framework.
- Reporting annually on the state of performance measurement for evaluation.
Planned resources
| Salaries (including employee benefit plan) | $1,900,000 |
|---|---|
| OAE operations and maintenance | $170,000 |
| Total evaluation planned spending | $2,070,000 |
Human resources
13.0 evaluation staff and 1.5 Director General Office (full-time equivalents)