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BC Hydro Power Smart Alliance was evaluating how to meet energy conservation targets set out by the BC provincial government to year 2026. AMBiT conducted a detailed assessment of the strategic areas that will enable BC Hydro to meet these energy conservation requirements through training. The primary focus was the training of electrical contractors in energy efficient practices, particularly in the area of lighting. AMBiT also prepared a three-year operational plan that detailed the key training initiatives necessary to effectively launch the program.
Medical Provincial Academic & Affiliated Campus Technology, University of British Columbia (in partnership with the BC Ministry of Health Services and six regional health authorities)
The provincial videoconferencing initiative, or MPAACT, is a program to implement the technology required to deliver the distributed undergraduate and postgraduate medical program in British Columbia. AMBiT has prepared a project charter and functional requirements document to initiate this effort, and is providing on going project communications for the diverse array of stakeholders: UBC's Faculty of Medicine, the Province of British Columbia's Ministry of Health Services, and the six health authorities (Fraser Health Authority, Interior Health Authority, Northern Health Authority, Provincial Health Services Authority, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and the Vancouver Island Health Authority).
SuperNet Videoconferencing (SNVC) Core Service Project, Government of Alberta
The purpose of this project was to develop recommendations for province-wide delivery of an IP-based centralized videoconferencing service using the SuperNet, including a business model and operational strategy. AMBiT developed a consultation plan for stakeholder sessions throughout the province of Alberta and facilitated the workshops to gather input on designing, implementing, and sustaining the proposed service. The 13 workshops involved 5 sectors and 123 organizations. Based on stakeholder input, AMBiT developed a business model to provide core service including management, financial, and governance models.
Telehealth Scheduling System Requirements, Canada Health Infoway
Canada Health Infoway (CHI) is an initiative of the federal, provincial and territorial governments. Its aim is to foster and accelerate the development and adoption of electronic health information systems, with compatible standards and communication technologies on a pan-Canadian basis. AMBiT planned and led the process to gain agreement on system requirements, evaluate potential solutions and make recommendations to CHI. AMBiT facilitated requirements gathering and procurement sessions with a project team constituted of representatives from all jurisdictions across Canada. Our final recommendations for the best strategic solutions were presented in a report to the CHI. The CHI adopted AMBiT's recommendations, and released a statement in February 2007 regarding its decision.
Needs Assessment, Dalhousie University Distributed Undergraduate Medical Education Program
AMBiT led a technology needs assessment for
the Dalhousie University Distributed Undergraduate Medical Education Program. Dalhousie is planning a medical school expansion to distribute the undergraduate program to students based at the University of New Brunswick Saint John campus, and in four clinical settings across the province of New Brunswick. This initiative also includes the development of videoconference facilities in the province of Nova Scotia.
AMBiT developed a cost estimate for all information technology and videoconference infrastructure required for program expansion. We also facilitated a functional requirements gathering workshop with the project team and made technology recommendations based on distributed medical program best practices.
NorthLink Initiative, University of Northern British Columbia
The NorthLink Initiative was an innovative approach to addressing the unique educational challenges of northern British Columbia through a series of projects that distributed education by connecting partnering institutions via technology. These included the College of New Caledonia, Northern Lights College, Northwest Community College, and the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). AMBiT lead the initiation, planning, implementation, and evaluation of the first phase of NorthLink Project 1, the proof of concept. This phase delivered UNBC’s Certificate in Mental Health & Addictions introductory course via videoconferencing technology to institutions in Fort St. John, Prince George, Quesnel, and Terrace to ensure students continue to receive a high quality of education through the NorthLink Initiative’s distance learning approach.
Medical Program Expansion, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University
The Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University is expanding its medical program with the goal to increase undergraduate enrollment over the next several years. As part of this expansion, McMaster is planning a distributed education program with satellite campuses in Kitchener and St. Catharines.
AMBiT assisted the School with project planning for their expanded medical program. AMBiT conducted a series of workshops to develop key elements of the project plan including the information technology and audiovisual needs of the program, stakeholder communications and change management, key decisions that will need to be made, and project governance and decision-making structures. AMBiT also reviewed physical infrastructure renovations underway at the satellite campuses to support the distributed program.
Our Future Project, World Vision International
AMBiT provided change management support to teams working on World Vision’s Our Future project. This was a multi-million dollar, international initiative to alter the organization’s culture, processes and systems to take advantage of their exponential growth to a $2 billion operation. We helped project leaders to understand and lead change in their portfolios, trained leaders in facilitation skills, mentored organizational change resources, and provided direct change support to initiatives identified as ‘Quick Wins’. Supported by this change management effort, World Vision successfully implemented the use of digital photography on projects in remote areas, achieved savings through centralizing purchasing of travel, vehicles and other high-cost items, and created an International Staffing Solutions division to improve the quality of new hires and the speed of their deployment to projects world-wide.
MOA Renewal Program, Museum of Anthropology
The MOA Renewal Program (MRP) is a $58M
CFI-funded initiative to significantly increase the size of the museum, digitize its collections, and establish an electronic research network with 16 other cultural institutions and originating communities across North America.
AMBiT assisted the museum by designing the program team organizational structure, developing a short-term communications plan, and implementing basic program reporting systems. AMBiT then assembled a comprehensive scope definition that established baseline scope, schedule, and budget for the MRP. Along the way, AMBiT provided strategic guidance, including key input into cost-reduction exercises that were instrumental in allowing the Program to proceed. AMBiT drove the information technology components of the MRP forward through user requirements and sustainability planning while continuing to provide management support to the entire program.
Telehealth Scheduling Requirements, Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA)
AMBiT worked with a project team formed by BC's Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) to define the requirements for a province-wide videoconference scheduling system. Working with stakeholders from all six of BC's Health Authorities in a combination of workshops and one-on-one interviews, and applying our knowledge of videoconference and related technology, we were able to reach agreement amongst the diverse group of participants on the mandatory and desirable requirements for the system. AMBiT's final report was used as a reference point for the Canada Health Telehealth Initiative.
Distributed Medical Education Program, University of British Columbia
UBC's Faculty of Medicine has launched an innovative distributed medical education program together with the Government of British Columbia, the University of Northern British Columbia, the University of Victoria and provincial regional health authorities. AMBiT resources have been involved throughout the expansion, leading a team that is responsible for delivering the technology components of the program. Key activities included leading cost-cutting exercises and obtaining final budget approval, developing a project definition report which tied together scope, schedule and budget, and guiding the selection and procurement of a portion of the required equipment.
Integrated Library System Project, University of British Columbia
The UBC Library is the second largest research library in Canada and includes 21 branches and divisions at UBC and at other locations. AMBiT's project management and business analysis team put the UBC Library on track to implement their new integrated library system software in less than half the typical timeline of other university libraries.
Following on the successful project management and business requirements definition of the acquisition phase, AMBiT led six internal groups and a cross-departmental team to manage implementation of their new system in less than six months. The implementation included technical and functional system testing and integration, user training for over 300 library staff and the migration of over 10 million records.
Organizational Effectiveness Program, University of British Columbia
The Organizational Effectiveness Program (OEP) is a $2M initiative to dramatically improve the effectiveness of UBC's 165 FTE IT Services department through restructuring, training, and process improvement. AMBiT led a comprehensive review of it services practices that included customer interviews, staff surveys & focus groups, and management interviews. After analyzing the data gathered, AMBiT recommended an integrated program of initiatives to ITServices for implementation. AMBiT provided project management, business analysis, communications, and change management in support of these initiatives.
Centre for Interactive Research into Sustainability, University of British Columbia
The future $56M Centre for Interactive Research into Sustainability will be housed in a building that incorporates the most innovative sustainable building technologies. The inter-institutional centre will facilitate interactive research programs and encourage partnerships in developing sustainable urban infrastructure. AMBiT worked with the research, design, and industry partner teams to understand the financial feasibility of the centre and to prepare a business case, economic model and governance structure for inclusion in the centre's feasibility study.
University Networking Program, University of British Columbia
The University Networking Program (UNP) was a four-year $30.6M initiative to bring high-speed data connectivity to over 175 buildings and building complexes at UBC's Point Grey campus.
The UNP included the largest campus deployment of 802.11 wireless
connectivity in the world as well as upgrades to connectivity at
affiliated teaching hospitals. The program was completed on budget and six months ahead of schedule.
AMBiT provided program management and business analysis resources that were crucial to the UNP's success. Key activities included developing a business case and assembling program funding, implementing a program management office, and leading the program through to completion.
Conference Management System (CMS), Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
To elevate the Royal College’s event management operations, AMBiT provided project management and subject matter expertise services to identify and implement a new conference management system. AMBiT led the procurement process through requirements gathering, RFI preparation and issuance, and vendor evaluation.
The Royal College adopted AMBiT’s system recommendation and retained AMBiT to provide project management through system acquisition and implementation.Assisting with contract negotiations, developing an implementation strategy, testing the system, and developing training materials, AMBiT enabled the Royal College to successfully implement the solution and thus increase efficiency of event management, registration, and administration.