Project 60
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Project Name Enhancing Building Condition Assessment and Capital Planning Integration |
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Client BGIS and Infrastructure Ontario (IO) |
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Duration December 2024 to August 2025 [Delivery Based]
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Project Description |
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This project supported Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and its service provider BGIS in enhancing the end-to-end business process for Building Condition Assessment (BCA) reporting and Capital Planning during IO’s implementation of a new Asset Management Information System (AMIS). Because AMIS was still under development and did not yet include several functions required for ARM team deliverables, the project addressed a significant operational challenge involving data extraction, integration, and reporting across AMIS and supporting systems such as RealSuite, RealProperty, RealCondition, Vault, PMWeb, and Kahua. The initiative focused on improving data integrity, process transparency, digital enablement, and field assessor efficiency through an automated internal tool that streamlined daily audit, integration, and reporting activities. It involved delivering information technology solutions that addressed operational needs and improved the reliability of field assessment information. The solution also established a foundation for a more robust platform to support collaboration with IO’s new AMIS system and strengthen decision-making between IO and BGIS.
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Scope and objective |
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The scope of the project included a comprehensive review and documentation of the BCA and Capital Planning process. · Map the workflow from data collection to report generation and system integration. · Evaluate the balance of preventive and detective controls. · Document data mapping between IO and BGIS systems. · Integrate reporting inputs from AMIS, RealSuite, RealProperty, RealCondition, Vault, PMWeb, and Kahua into a unified structure for report writers. · Develop a roadmap for digital tools to support seamless information exchange, including the evaluation and selection of appropriate technology solutions, frameworks, and platforms.
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Dollar Value |
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Information available withheld with client |
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Contribution of the proposed resource to the project |
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To improve Result Based Management (RBM) in the context of international assistance supported by Grant and Contributions agreements, a series of Design documentation collection, site inspections, and condition observations to report generation, approvals, and system uploads. The work mapped the full workflow, assessed preventive and detective controls, identified manual hand-offs and control gaps, and highlighted opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, compliance, and data governance. Data Mapping and Integration Documentation. Developed the data mapping framework for AMIS, RealSuite, RealProperty, RealCondition, Vault, PMWeb, Kahua, and related IO data environments. The work clarified data sources, transformations, validation points, ownership, system responsibilities, and data dependencies, while establishing conventions for interaction between BGIS systems and IO databases such as ARCADIS. This supported integration solutions between multiple systems, applications, and data sources.
Digital Enablement Roadmap and ASSISTopus. Created a roadmap for digital tools to support seamless information exchange between IO and BGIS, including functional requirements, integration points, and initiative prioritization based on impact, feasibility, and alignment with digital transformation goals. To address AMIS functionality gaps, developed ASSISTopus, a custom internal reporting tool that automates data extraction, integration, folder audits, file counts, data aggregation, and report preparation for report writers. ASSISTopus consolidates information from AMIS and supporting platforms into a unified report-writing format, supported by a scalable user interface, modular VBA infrastructure, Microsoft Copilot-assisted scripting, and an encrypted X drive Master File Structure with BBAR classification folders. This also supported Business Intelligence reporting, analysis, and decision-making.
The contribution was recognized through a Corporate Q3 Award for Delivering Memorable Customer Service, acknowledging improved field assessor efficiency, reporting accuracy, innovation, team engagement, and stronger collaboration with IO, including the Ontario Provincial Police.
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Deliverables |
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· A documented end-to-end business process for BCA and Capital Planning. · A comprehensive data mapping framework between IO and BGIS systems. · A strategic roadmap for digital tool development and integration, including recommended technology solutions, frameworks, and platform considerations). · ASSISTopus, a custom internal reporting tool that automated data extraction, integration, and preparation from AMIS and supporting platforms into a unified report-writing format. · A scalable digital file architecture on the X drive, including a Master File Structure with BBAR classification folders, to organize deliverables and support consistent collaboration. · A scalable user interface and modular VBA coding infrastructure designed to support future enhancement and broader adoption across similar teams or projects. · Automated VBA scripts and process improvements that enhanced field assessor efficiency, improved reporting accuracy, and supported future alignment with IO’s AMIS system, while serving as an initial integration solution connecting multiple data sources and operational workflows.
The solution significantly reduced the manual effort and time required to compile and integrate data from diverse sources, enabling the ARM team to meet deliverable timelines with improved accuracy and consistency. It enhanced collaboration across workstreams, clarified roles and responsibilities across IO and BGIS platforms, ensured alignment with both organizations’ systems despite ongoing AMIS development, and created a scalable foundation for a more integrated, efficient, and sustainable digital reporting ecosystem. |
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References:
David Hewitt BGIS – Senior Director Telephone: 416.554.3238 email: David.Hewitt@bgis.com
Anita Ramalingam BGIS – Director Telephone: 647-215-1434 email: Anita.Ramalingam@bgis.com
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Technological platform leverage during this mandate
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