Program Modernization and Operational Handbook Development
Organization: Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia
Scope of Work: A comprehensive review and modernization of the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Nova Scotia Wines program improved governance, consistency, and stakeholder coordination. Work included the development of standardized adjudication criteria, submission processes, operational procedures, and a formal program handbook.
Key Deliverables:
– Program governance framework
– Standardized evaluation and adjudication tools
– Operational procedures handbook
– Communications and stakeholder coordination processes
Outcomes:
– Improved transparency and program accountability
– Reduced administrative inefficiencies
– Consistent program delivery across participating organizations
Jurisdictional Research and Evidence-Based Policy Analysis
Organization: Law Reform Institute of Nova Scotia
Scope of Work: Ms. Goertzen conducted a policy and literature review examining historic, legal, political, and social frameworks influencing the definition of justice in provincial judicial systems. The project included an examination of collaborative governance frameworks, challenges for marginalized communities, and stakeholder engagement.
Key Deliverables:
– 90-page policy and literature review
– Comparative jurisdictional analysis
– Baseline evidence for the evaluation of future progress
Outcomes:
– Provided evidence base for policy and program development
– Report supported successful provincial grant application
– Secured program funding for the following fiscal year
Asset Performance Analysis and Budget Framework Development
Organization: Columbia University in the City of New York (22 – branch decentralized library system)
Scope of Work: The project assessed utilization and performance of print and electronic library materials across a large, decentralized campus community, including partner organizations spanning the Northeastern United States. The assessment utilized quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and resulted in standardized asset management policies and a lifecycle-based budgeting framework. Results were adoped by academic publishing companies to modernize ebook subscription models across North America.
Key Deliverables:
– Asset utilization performance analysis
– Standardized asset management policy framework
– Lifecycle budget assessment model
– An assessment handbook that was published and sold to 9,000 libraries across North America
Outcomes:
– Improved data-driven investment planning
– Consistent asset governance across all campus branches
– Framework adopted by external publishing partners
National Jurisdictional Scan and Housing Policy Framework Analysis
Organization: Service Nova Scotia, Government of Nova Scotia
Scope of Work: The project focused on a multi-jurisdictional analysis of rent control policies across Canadian provinces and Oregon to evaluate regulatory and market-based approaches to housing affordability. The work assessed traditional rent control mechanisms, alternative policy tools, and COVID-19 rent-relief measures within varying economic and governance contexts.
Key Deliverables:
– Comparative jurisdictional policy analysis report
– Evaluation of seven rent control models and alternatives
– Evidence-based findings and strategic considerations
Outcomes:
– Resulted in a provincial rent control policy
– Informed provincial discussions on affordable housing policy
– Highlighted cross-government coordination requirements
– Identified long-term collaboration models across municipal, provincial, federal, nonprofit, and private sectors
Melissa Goertzen 