presentation by: chris wade, p eng. finally … a best practice for selecting an engineering firm

Presentation By:

Chris Wade, P Eng.

Finally … a best practice for selecting an engineering firm

Situation Growing infrastructure deficit Extent of the problem not understood Sustainable concept not clearly understood Frameworks evolving at all governing levels

National Round Table: Economy & Environment National Round Table: Sustainable Infrastructure FCM National Guide to Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure

Current management systems are not often well aligned with the real long term business needs. Eg; consultant engagement strategies.

Major IssuesCurrent consultant selection practices in most

organizations are not well aligned with the real business needs.

Focus on lowest fees Ignore total project life cycle cost implications Perception that QBS is not a competitive process Gives the consultants the impression quality

doesn’t count Prematurely pre-establishes project scope &

design solutions; creating potential for conflict about what is included in the fee.

Losing knowledgeable in-house staff

The Stakeholder Needs1) The Public

Value for their tax dollars Government is meeting their infrastructure needs Processes meet an acceptable level of public process Infrastructure meets good levels of health & safety.

2) Governing Bodies (Federal, Provincial, Municipal)

Get value for money No complaints re: process No crises No negative media

3) Business Units Get the best consultants Concern about project cost Get the best projects Concern about lifecycle costs

Stakeholder Needs - cont’d

4) Supply Management Departments Open process Follows Procedures

5) Management Audit Controls Accountability Transparency

Stakeholder Needs - cont’d

6) Consultants Open, fair, transparent Workload distribution To be valued for expertise & added value; not fees. Don’t want to spend significant resources developing

endless proposals To be valued in project development stage as they

believe they can add significant value.

7) Contractors Open, fair, transparent Good contract documentation

8) General Total business perspective; Integrated Approaches Leverage Points & Decisions

The SolutionDevelop a best practice through recognized

public sector & industry associations. FCM National Guide to Sustainable Municipal

Infrastructure Collaboration:

Infrastructure Canada, NRC, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Canadian Public Works Associations

Knowledgeable & committed practitioners volunteer

Objective: Help solve the growing infrastructure deficit Create a resource to help public sector agencies

make informed and smart decisions Build a strong knowledgeable consulting

community Ensure decision making is lead by the right

business drivers.

The InfraGuide

InfraGuide “Best practice for selecting a professional consultant” released June, 2006

Developed by Collaboration: Infrastructure Canada, NRC, Federation of

Canadian Municipalities, Canadian Public Works Associations and Knowledgeable & committed practitioners volunteer

Supported by extensive research and interviews

The InfraGuide cont’d

Focuses on Selecting long term savings Consultant quality and level of service Encouraging innovation Increasing accountability Fees and scope that are mutually understood Reducing conflict

How it worksQualification Based Selection (QBS):1) Issue a request for qualifications:

professionals compete based on qualifications & understanding of client needs

2) Client ranks proposals based on best service relative to project objectives.

3) Highest ranking firm is selected Detailed scope is established including deliverables

aligned to client goals Appropriate fees and schedule that achieve client

goals are agreed to

4) Encourage consultant participation as “trusted advisors” in best outcome for project.

InfraGuide

QBS – fills a need Previously - no consistent approaches Good team is key to project success Sound process helps ensure:

Engagement of best qualified team Best value re: lower lifecycle costs & more sustainable

projects Fair, open, transparent, understood and competitive

public sector practices. Appropriate compensation of consultants Synergy develops in project approach Key performance criteria drive project decisions Reduces team conflict; encourages a “meeting of the

minds”

InfraGuide

Enabling Best Practice: QBS

Establish champions knowledgeable about both process and content

Work with professional and technical associations

Understand and use fee guidelines established by professional associations

Get consultants on board early as part of integrated project teams to jointly develop scope (90/10 rule)

QBS is best implemented in a well established framework

InfraGuide

Best Practice Implementation

Framework Key Elements Include: High level mgmt committee Focus on proactively managing consultant relationships Assignment of knowledgeable “discipline champions” to

assist in the relationships Ongoing stakeholder involvement System of checks and balances Competitive Qualification Based Process

InfraGuide

Best Practice Implementation

Framework Key Elements … continued: Open and transparent process Annual public RFEI, RFQ & RFP’s Will include consultant performance evaluation process Getting consultants on board early & use an integrated

design process Fees negotiated based on mutually accepted guidelines

for recommended fees.

InfraGuide

Key Messages QBS is a key to “Best Practice for Selecting a

Professional Consultant” Nationally and globally recognized Public sector supported solution.

Qualifications Based Selection is: Fair, open, transparent & competitive process Well suited to public sector Gets the best people from the best organizations

Key Messages

Adoption of “best practice” will lead to more sustainable, cost effective projects Principles align to business performance drivers Framework implementation is a long term asset

management/project management strategy Builds a strong team approach and free’s consultants

to demonstrate how they can add value Saves time and Minimizes risk Focuses on best public value; not cheapest design.

The End:

presentation by: chris wade, p eng. finally … a best practice for selecting an engineering firm

Documents