The Capital Planning Process for a project of this scope is complex, requiring the input and oversight of a number of departments and committees, before ground can be broken. What follows is an overview of this process, and the steps taken from identifying a potential need, to the beginning of construction.
1. Identification of Potential Need
Each year, all GNWT Departments update their inventory facilities and resources required to manage facilities, taking into account:
- Internal technical assessments
- Change in government priorities; and
- Change in departmental priorities.
2. Approval to Conduct a Planning Study
A Planning Study is required for all proposed projects with an estimated capital budget of more than $2 million. The Planning Study is intended to ensure that the scope of a project is clearly defined, and that enough information is available to develop a credible cost estimate and schedule before proceeding. Planning Studies are approved by the Infrastructure Deputy Minister Committee and by the Financial Management Board.
3. Completion of the Planning Study
Planning Studies include:
- Needs analysis (population projections, demographics, service standards).
- Operational planning (staffing, hours of operation, service delivery).
- Functional program (building size, rooms and areas).
- Evaluations of existing facilities.
- Site (alternative locations, preferred site).
- Schedule (including milestones for design, mobilization and construction).
- Development of the schematic design.
- Cost (including design, engineering reports, site development, construction, management costs, furniture and equipment, risk factors etc.).
- Project delivery alternatives (design/bid build, construction management, design/build, repeat design, etc.).
4. Peer Review Committee
A Peer Review Committee (PRC) will review the completed Planning Study to ensure the report is appropriately detailed and that the review criteria are applied equally for all projects from all departments and in all regions. The PRC consists of one representative from five GNWT Departments; Transportation, Public Works and Services, Justice, Finance, and Environment and Natural Resources.
5. Infrastructure Deputy Minister Committee
The Infrastructure Deputy Minister Committee reviews all proposed projects to ensure that the criteria have been applied properly and consistently, and that plans make strategic sense to the GNWT as a whole.
6. Financial Management Board Approval
The draft Capital Plan is assessed based on:
- whether or not the proposed projects address government priorities; and,
- whether or not public commitments are adequately addressed.
7. Standing Committee Approval
The Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning (SCOPP) reviews the draft Capital Plan in conjunction with Business Plans and the Main Estimates. If the Standing Committee has any outstanding concerns, the plan will be sent back to the Infrastructure Deputy Minister Committee for revisions.
8. Submission to the Legislative Assembly
When all recommendations and changes have been addressed in the draft 5-year Capital Plan, the plan is presented to the Legislature for review. Should the Legislature approve the draft 5-year Capital Plan at this point, the Legislature will approve the first year funding allocation as an Appropriation Bill. After the approval of the Bill, the funds are available to deliver the project.
9. Construction Planning
With the project approved, more detailed planning gets underway to prepare for construction.
