Operational Planning

Operation in ACT is guided by the Operation Plan developed by departments and centers in accordance with the strategic plan. The Operational Plans - with well defined Key Performance Indicators (KPI's), through an ADRI (Approach, Deployment, Result, Improvement) model - include specific implementation procedures on how to achieve different strategic goals, target date/s, department and personnel responsibility, and resources required.

Each department’s Operational Plan clearly states how it intends to achieve its various strategic goals, with specific KPI’s, in line with the fulfillment of college goals. The outcomes of the operational planning form part of the monitoring and review process for establishment of future college strategic, operational, and activity plans. The over-all performance of the ACT Operational Plan is assessed through an internal review mechanism for monitoring feedback and objective improvements.

Financial Management

The budget of the college is decided by the Ministry and is composed of the current budget and recurring budgets of the College. Finances are managed within budget guidelines and under the overall direction of the ADAF, Dean and College Council. Budget allocations are carried out in light of ACT’s mission, vision, and goals.

All financial transactions are audited and reviewed by an independent Internal Auditor appointed by the MoMP. Annual audits of the financial records are carried out by an External Auditor appointed by the MoMP. The State Auditor of the Sultanate of Oman makes the final audit. ACT has developed a comprehensive range of policies and procedures to ensure efficient and effective use of financial resources. ACT uses existing financial resources and maximizes college income from all sources.

Risk Management

ACT has initiated the process of Risk Management. The college strategic plan (2009-2012) includes the sub goal, "Review and implement an effective Risk Management System". Risks at ACT are managed at two levels: department and college-wide. Centers and departments are responsible for the identification and management of risks. For risks that require decisions, actions, and/or resources beyond the scope of the department, possible solutions are forwarded to the Dean / College Council for action.

The college has been advised to maintain a Risk Management logbook and identify risks and possible preventative and corrective actions. The effectiveness of the RMS is measured through reports of risk situations that take place and how they are managed.

Each department is now maintaining a logbook to monitor risk management activities. Upon identification of any failure, (e.g. software crash, machinery not working) departments and centers are to immediately take the actions stipulated in the Risk Management Plan.

Policy Management

A policy development framework governs the development, implementation and review of college policies. Policies and related procedures are documented in the Quality Manual. The policies which have been provided by the QAD department are followed and whenever there is a need for policies to be developed, new policies are designed as per the format for the development of policies, and these policies, once designed, are sent to the committee responsible for review. Once a policy is finalized, it is forwarded to the College Council for approval.

ACT now has taken steps to improve the policy management system by having its own policy development plan. The departments and centers have been involved in preparing the policies required internally by them apart from the general college policies available in the Quality Manual.

Review System

ACT review the entities and activities within the college to ensure that the system is effective and to find out what improvements are needed based on statistical data made by feedback surveys. ACT’s self review system consists of eight domains: Governance and Management, Student Learning, Staff Research, Industry and Community Engagement, Academic Support Services, Staff Support Services, Student Support, and General Support Facilities. The result of the review is the College Quality Audit Portfolio.

ACT’s self assessment reports on various domains help the college to identify the improvements needed at each stage. Surveys of students and staff have been used to gather opinions of ACT services. Feedback in all departments/centers is gathered every year, and in some cases each semester, to evaluate the performance of ACT. Feedback forms used at ACT are in line with statistical measures and best practices are followed to evaluate those forms. From these findings some improvements are carried out.