Professional Development / CDSO.D™
The University of Ottawa NextGen Digital Leaders Development Program and the official Chief Digital Services Officer Designation ‘CDSO.D™’
The first step toward CIOCAN’s Chief Digital Services Officer Designation, for senior digital leaders in Canada’s federal public service.
‘CDSO.D’ is a trademark of the CIO Association of Canada. Details subject to change. The NextGen Digital Leaders Development Program is delivered by the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute; program details, dates and fees are set by the University of Ottawa and are subject to change.
About the program
Are you a senior digital leader in the federal public service looking to advance into, or within, the digital executive cadre? Are you looking to have that leadership recognized against a national standard by an independent body?
The University of Ottawa NextGen Digital Leaders Development Program, delivered by the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute in collaboration with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, is the first step toward the official Chief Digital Services Officer Designation — CDSO.D™ — awarded by the CIO Association of Canada.
The program focuses on the leadership capabilities required to operate at the enterprise level: shaping priorities, navigating organizational complexity, leading across traditional boundaries, and making strategic choices about technology and transformation. The designation provides an independent benchmark for that leadership, backed by a published standard, continuing professional education requirements and a professional code of conduct.
The program is delivered by the University of Ottawa. The designation is awarded by CIOCAN. Completing the program does not by itself confer the designation.
Program details
Application deadline
September 11, 2026
Cohort
2026–2027 Fall cohort. Orientation October 29, 2026; Graduation May 11, 2027.
Program fee
$7,000 + HST per person, set by and payable to the University of Ottawa.
- Format: blended — virtual and in-person workshops, plus Action Learning Circles, individual coaching and on-the-job learning.
- Action Learning Circles and coaching: 14.5 hours of Action Learning Circles and 4 hours of individual coaching per participant.
- Official languages: Action Learning Circles and coaching sessions are available in both official languages. Participants indicate their preference on the application form.
- Certificate: all program activities are mandatory to receive the program certificate.
- CDSO.D™ fees: separate, and payable to CIOCAN. See the designation page.
Required prerequisite: the instructor-led Canada School of Public Service course Leading Through Technology-Driven Change is a required prerequisite, to be completed at the earliest availability. Participants outside the federal government may substitute an accepted equivalent. Participants who have already completed Discover Digital are considered to have met the requirement and should note this on the application form.
What can you expect from this program?
At the end of this program, participants will be able to:
- Develop self-awareness and identify personal areas of growth as a digital leader.
- Build executive presence and business acumen.
- Learn practical tools and techniques to lead and manage digital teams effectively.
- Understand the challenges and opportunities of leading in a digital context.
- Manage and implement digital transformation initiatives.
- Learn from peers and exchange experiences and points of view.
- Gain exposure to industry leaders and experts in digital leadership.
Who this program is for
This program is designed for those looking to advance to and within the digital executive cadre. This includes, but is not limited to, Chief Information Officers, Chief Digital Officers, Chief Data Officers, Chief Transformation Officers, and Directors General of Digital Transformation or Strategy in the Government of Canada. It is intended for IT-05 to EX-01 or higher. Applications may also come from outside the federal government.
Please note: the program admits participants from IT-05 upward. The CDSO.D™ designation requires EX-1 or equivalent leadership level — a director-level or comparable senior management leader with similar scope of authority, accountability and impact. Completing the program does not by itself make you eligible for the designation.
What can you expect from the official CDSO.D™?
Independent recognition
Recognition of your digital service leadership against a national standard, held and governed by CIOCAN — not by your employer and not by your program provider.
A national peer network
Access to over 600 CIOs, CISOs and senior technology leaders across government, industry and the not-for-profit sector, plus member events, chapter programming and the CIO Peer Forum®.
A credential you can display
A certificate and a digital credential, backed by CIOCAN’s published standards, renewal requirements and code of conduct.
Program schedule — 2026–2027 Fall cohort
| Session | Number of days | Date | Time | Delivery mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-program work | ||||
| Lumina Self-Assessment | – | Instructions sent: October 6, 2026 Deadline to complete: October 20, 2026 | – | – |
| Lumina 360 Assessment | – | Instructions sent: October 28, 2026 Deadline to complete: November 12, 2026 | – | – |
| Program | ||||
| Orientation, Networking Lunch and Lumina Workshop | ½ day | October 29, 2026 | 9:00 am – 2:00 pm | Virtual |
| Workshop 1: Being a Service Excellence Champion | ½ day | November 16, 2026 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | In-person |
| Workshop 2: Lifecycle of an organizational shift | ½ day | November 16, 2026 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm | In-person |
| Workshop 3: Change Leadership | 1 day | November 17, 2026 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | In-person |
| Workshop 4: Digital Leadership Case Studies | 1 day | December 7, 8, 2026 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Virtual |
| Workshop 5: Cyber & AI Leadership | 1 day | February 11, 2027 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | In-person |
| Optional Networking Session | – | February 11, 2027 | 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm | In-person |
| Workshop 6: Oral briefings and Business acumen | 1 day | February 12, 2027 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | In-person |
| Simulation Exercise: Digital transformation simulation | One ½ day total per group | March 22 and 23, 2027 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | In-person |
| Workshop 7: Trusted AI for Leaders | 1 day | March 24, 2027 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | In-person |
| Professional Practice Day and Graduation | ½ day | May 11, 2027 | 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm | In-person |
| Action Learning Circle, Coaching and On the Job Learning | ALC: 14.5 hours Individual coaching: 4 hours per participant On the Job Learning: to be completed | November/December, January, February, end April | – | Virtual |
Attendance policy
The attendance policy for the NextGen Digital Leaders Development Program is set and administered by the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute.
- All program activities are mandatory to receive a program certificate.
- A participant may miss up to one activity due to unforeseen circumstances or emergencies. Please notify the Program Coordinator if you need to miss a session.
- A participant who misses more than one activity will be asked to attend a make-up session at their own cost. A participant who chooses not to make up the session will not receive a certificate.
- Coaching sessions may be rescheduled with at least 48 hours’ notice to the coach, without penalty. Without sufficient notice, a make-up session must be scheduled at the participant’s own cost, unless it is their only missed activity.
- A make-up session, including a coaching session, is $250.00 plus HST.
How to apply to the program
- Application deadline: September 11, 2026.
- Cost: $7,000 + HST per person.
- The University of Ottawa reviews all applications. Successful applicants are notified by email.
- Full payment of the program fee is due on or before the start date.
- Identify your completed or scheduled prerequisite course on your application.
- Indicate your preferred official language for Action Learning Circles and coaching on your application.
Payment and cancellation
Applications, payment, withdrawal and refunds for the program are handled by the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute, not by CIOCAN.
- Withdrawal from the program must be provided in writing to PDI.
- An organization may submit the name of another candidate as a replacement before the program start date. The proposed candidate’s profile will be evaluated by the program committee.
- Candidates who withdraw more than two weeks before the program start date are eligible for a full refund. Candidates who withdraw within two weeks of the start date will be charged the entire program fee.
Next steps… to obtain the official designation CDSO.D™
Step One —
Complete the program
- Complete the prerequisite course — Leading Through Technology-Driven Change, or an accepted equivalent.
- Apply to the NextGen Digital Leaders Development Program through PDI by the application deadline.
- Complete the program and obtain your certificate or official record of completion from PDI.
Step Two —
Apply for CDSO.D™
- Confirm you meet the CDSO.D™ eligibility criteria, including at least three years of verifiable leadership-level experience and EX-1 or equivalent leadership level.
- Submit the CDSO.D™ application with your CV, two letters of reference, your record of program completion and your signed attestations.
Step Three —
Certify and Apply to CIOCAN
- Register for and complete the CIOCAN-administered CDSO.D™ assessment.
- Apply for CIOCAN membership.
- On approval by CIOCAN, receive your CDSO.D™ certificate and digital credential.
- Maintain your designation — CIOCAN membership in good standing, and 90 CPE credits over each three-year renewal cycle.
About CIOCAN and this pathway
The NextGen Digital Leaders Development Program is developed and delivered by the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute in collaboration with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. The CDSO.D™ designation is owned and administered by the CIO Association of Canada. CIOCAN defines and publishes the designation standards, administers the assessment, and has sole authority to award, renew, suspend or revoke the designation. Completing the program does not by itself confer the designation.