Register and collect your name tag and join us in the PGCLL foyer for a light breakfast before we kick-off the Operational Excellence Forum.

Take your seats in PGCLL 127 for welcoming remarks by Saher Fazilat, Vice-President (Operations & Finance), and Maureen J. MacDonald, Provost and Vice-President (Academic), as well as a keynote presentation by Shane Saunderson, Assistant Professor of Information Systems at McMaster University.

Keynote Presentation: Emerging Risks & Rewards of GenAI

This talk cuts through the GenAI hype to show what these systems can (and cannot) do in real organizations. Through an introductory understanding of how GenAI works, we will identify risks and pitfalls that experimenters and managers of AI-based solutions must mitigate. Keeping these in mind, we’ll then focus on how to create real value with GenAI by finding use cases that align with your needs and designing workflows that get the most out of collaborating with an LLM. Attendees leave with a clear mental model of GenAI and practical ways to apply it for better decisions, faster learning, and more creative problem-solving across teams.

Keynote Speaker: Shane Saunderson

Shane Saunderson is an Assistant Professor of Information Systems at the Degroote School of Business and an expert in the design and psychology of interactions with social machines. His research investigates the ways in which we anthropomorphize humanlike technologies (i.e. robots and AI agents), the influence they have on the people who use them, and the implications of embedding them into our homes and workplaces. Particularly as these technologies are being looked to as solutions to help older adults age gracefully and in place, it is critical to understand how they fit into our social fabric and change the nature of our humanity.

Enjoy a brief break with light refreshments available before heading into the first session of the day.

Networking & Showcasing Excellence

Showcasing Excellence is where great work across McMaster is presented up close, practical and shareable. Walk through a collection of over 26 real projects, creative solutions, and improvement stories from teams across the University, and hear the “how” behind what made them work.

Come ready to explore, ask questions and make connections. Whether you’re looking for a spark of inspiration, a new approach you can adapt, or simply want to see what’s possible with the tools and talent already here, this showcase is designed to leave you with ideas you can use right away.

The spacious room layout supports meaningful interaction, with tables for small-group conversations and integrated screens for visual learning, enabling multimedia presentations throughout the showcase.

View the Showcasing Excellence list of projects

Mentor-Matchup – Connect in Minutes by Inclusion in Cyber Security Canada

This speed-networking event fosters quick, impactful conversations between mentors and mentees in cybersecurity and related fields. Explore mentorship opportunities, share insights and build professional relationships through timed rounds and networking. Ideal for those pursuing cybersecurity careers or integrating cyber awareness into their roles.

Making Sense of AI in Our Workflows

This hands-on workshop helps participants critically assess where AI adds value and where it may complicate tasks. Explore everyday processes, examine integration strategies and learn to make informed decisions about introducing AI into organizational workflows effectively.

From Safety to Systems: How Healthy Teams Drive Operational Excellence

This panel examines how psychologically safe, inclusive workplaces drive operational excellence. Through three case studies, learn to translate research into action, implement enabling strategies and measure impact. Attendees will gain practical approaches to build trust, foster shared ownership and embed meaningful, measurable improvements without adding burden to teams.

Setting the Table for Operational Excellence

Excellence is built through culture, not chance. This session explores how hospitality principles – trust, preparation and daily habits – strengthen teams. Drawing on real stories from The Buttery kitchen, learn practical ways to build connections, empower employees and create an environment where people deliver their best, even under pressure.

You in the Strategy: Putting the Strategic Plan into Practice

McMaster is developing its next strategic plan, Setting the Course, which will chart our direction through to 2031. This session focuses on what the strategic plan means for our everyday work. Participants will leave with a clearer sense of where they fit, how their work contributes to shared priorities and how to apply the strategy meaningfully in their day to day.

Take this opportunity to enjoy a delicious lunch while connecting with fellow attendees and building valuable relationships.

Cybersecurity Collaboration: Building Trust, Reducing Risk, Driving Resilience

This panel unites leaders in IT, information security and research security to explore emerging risks, regulatory changes in higher education and collaborative strategies. Gain insights into safeguarding academic institutions and fostering partnerships to strengthen cybersecurity resilience in an evolving threat landscape.

Less Work, Better Service: Real AI Solutions Improving Operations and Support

Explore how generative and conversational AI is transforming campus operations. This panel shares real examples – from research triage to course-aware assistants and AI chatbots – that reduce workload, improve response times and enhance user experience. Gain practical ideas, lessons learned and insights into building secure, scalable AI solutions with human oversight.

The Anatomy of High-Impact, Innovative Partnerships

This panel brings together two leading examples of collaboration in action – the Centre for Integrated and Advanced Medical Imaging (CIAMI) and Campus Safety Services – to uncover the practical anatomy of partnerships that drive meaningful impact and innovation. Through these case studies, panelists will break down how effective collaborations are formed, sustained and scaled.

LEGO Your Clutter – Hands-On 5S Workshop

Discover Lean 5S through a fun, hands-on LEGO simulation! This interactive workshop demonstrates how 5S reduces waste and improves workflows. Perfect for beginners or those refreshing skills, you’ll learn practical tools to apply immediately and experience how creativity and Lean principles build a better, more efficient workplace.

Microsoft 365 in Practice: An Introduction from Core Tools to Strategic Use

As higher education grows more complex, leaders need tools to boost organization and strategy. This session demonstrates how Microsoft 365 apps – OneDrive, SharePoint, Outlook, Teams, Planner, Lists and Power BI – streamline collaboration, planning and data-driven decisions. Through real-world examples and hands-on exercises, learn to enhance efficiency, transparency and impact.

A Guide to SharePoint: Practical Tips to Build Effective Sites and Streamline Collaboration

This session offers a practical guide to SharePoint at McMaster – what it does, how it differs from Teams and OneDrive and how to design sites people actually use. Through real examples and tips, learn to create effective hubs, streamline collaboration and leverage hidden features for efficiency and impact.

Use this time for a quick break before heading to the final session of the day.

Enabling Technology and Innovation: Partnership-Building to Reduce Risk and Support Innovation at McMaster

Explore how unidentified risks – from cybersecurity threats to implementation missteps – can harm reputation, waste resources and add administrative burden. This session shows how partnerships across UTS, Secretariat, ERM and Provost enable responsible innovation and a culture of risk management, especially with AI. Learn role in making technology safer and scalable.

Collaboration, Change and Cohesion: Navigating Operational Partnerships

Discover how four campus teams successfully design and implement operational enhancements through collaboration and cohesion. This session highlights strategies for driving change, engaging stakeholders and leveraging support to achieve meaningful outcomes. Attendees will gain practical insights into fostering partnerships that enable impactful, sustainable improvements across diverse campus areas.

From Entry to Engagement: Equity-Minded Practices Across the Employee Journey

This interactive session explores embedding equity-minded decisions across the full people lifecycle – from recruitment and onboarding to recognition and development. Learn practical tools and frameworks to reduce barriers, strengthen engagement and translate institutional values into consistent, actionable strategies for staff and leaders.

From Foundation to Impact: Charters, Risks, and Business Cases Fueling Operational Excellence in Project Management

This interactive session covers crafting project charters, managing risks and proving ROI to drive meaningful change at McMaster. Learn practical tools and strategies to align priorities, mitigate challenges and sustain impact for effective project management.

Efficiency Unlocked: Leveraging Power Automate for Smarter Operations

Discover Microsoft Power Automate, a tool that empowers users to simplify repetitive tasks and boost efficiency. This session covers automation fundamentals and real-world examples you can apply immediately. Learn how to reduce manual effort, streamline workflows and enhance productivity through accessible, practical solutions for everyday processes.

Beyond Silos: Lessons in Co-Creation that Maximize Student Impact

This session presents two case studies on cross-unit collaboration to enhance student outcomes and operational efficiency. One explores a Faculty-student funding process promoting transparency and experiential learning; the other examines partnership programs supporting academically at-risk students. Together, they reveal lessons on co-creation, managing tensions, and aligning people, processes and purpose for student-centred change.

The Forum will be held on February 18, 2026, at the Peter George Centre for Living and Learning (PGCLL) on campus. 

The forum is an all-day event that will run from 8:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Networking opportunities are built into the schedule, including designated breaks and an exhibit area. These moments are designed to foster collaboration and the sharing of ideas.

The Forum is open to the entire McMaster community! Faculty, staff and internal partners are encouraged to attend to learn more and explore collaboration opportunities.

We appreciate the interest and understand the disappointment of missing registration. At this time, a waitlist is not available.

The Forum centers around the four pillars of operational excellence:

• Excellence in Service: Responsive and innovative service delivery.
• McMaster Goals: Supporting the university’s strategic objectives.
• Optimal Resource Usage: Sustainability, cost efficiency, and performance monitoring.
• Employee Engagement: Empowering staff and fostering collaboration.