Organization

Best Practice

Industry Profiles: Construction Industry 

An overview of the construction industry.

 Alberta Treasury Board and Enterprise

(AlbertaCanada.com)

Alberta Major Projects List

The Inventory of Major Projects list is produced by Alberta Finance and Enterprise to assist firms in identifying potential supply opportunities. It lists projects in Alberta valued at $5 million or greater that are planned, underway, or have recently been completed. Project data is obtained from public information sources.

BIM Centre of Excellence

The BIM Centre of Excellence is being created and expected to start running by spring 2012.

Gold Seal Certification Program

The CCA Gold Seal Certification Program is a national certification program for construction Project Managers, Superintendents, Estimators and Owners’ Project Managers. The Gold Seal Certificate is a declaration of skill and competence that is recognized by the construction industry across the country. The Certificate will enhance mobility and professional development of construction managers.

CII Benchmarking & Metrics program

The CII Benchmarking & Metrics program provides the means for members to compare their capital and maintenance projects with the “best in class.” CII members and academia have collaborated to produce Best Practices to improve the cost effectiveness of capital facility project execution. The mission of CII Benchmarking & Metrics is to quantify this value and to provide assessment to participants. Benchmarking Opportunities:

• Project-level, confidential Key Report with scores and benchmark comparisons
• Industry reports
• Funded studies

Professional Development Continuum

The Professional Development Continuum plan is an online resource to help organizations plan the development of new construction project managers (those who have three to five years of experience). The plan illustrates how CII publications, education modules, online courses, and instructor-led courses taught by CII Registered Education Providers address competency areas across the project life cycle. 

COAA Alberta Major Projects Benchmarking Program

COAA, in conjunction with the Construction Industry Institute is creating a "Made for Alberta" benchmarking database that will help COAA members develop more efficient construction processes for major industrial projects.

Apprentice Mentoring Program (AMP)

The Apprentice Mentoring Program (AMP) was developed by a group of industry stakeholders as a best practice of the Construction Owners Association of Alberta (COAA). It is provided to companies free of charge, and is intended to help improve the skills and knowledge of apprentices on a work site so they are more able to effectively contribute to a project’s success.

WorkFace Planning

WorkFace Planning is a technique to improve construction performance.
It's about getting the right things to the right people at the right time to save money and improve productivity in your large-scale construction projects.

Workforce Development Library

This is the library where people can access all reference documents and various templates & samples related to productivity in the construction industry.

Essential Skills Toolkit

Tools for essential skill training in Alberta.This guide was developed to help those workers who are stakeholders in the construction industry and need assistance with the acquisition of essential skills (reading, writing and math), thereby ensuring a more competitive, safer and efficient construction industry. The guide covers areas such as: what are essential skills, dispelling the myths about essential skills, profiles of training organizations, effective reading in context (ERIC) and working in numeracy (WIN) programs.

Apprenticeship Best Practices Booklet - A Guide For On-The-Job Learning

This guide was developed to help the development of apprentices in Alberta. The booklet aims to enhance the on-the-job portion of apprenticeship learning so that both the apprentice and journeyperson can have positive learning experiences. The booklet covers such things as: roles & goals, teacher & learner roles, managing the blue book, safety, achieving professionalism, attending technical training, best practices checklist and commentary on contact resources.

COAA Foreman Skills Development Tool

The objective of the Foreman Skills Development Tool is to help the foreman and the employer identify the foreman’s areas of strengths and areas requiring further improvement in 6 specific areas of responsibility: Safety, Planning and Scheduling, Leadership and Supervision, Employee Relations, QA/QC (Quality Assurance/Quality Control), and Administration.

Construction Trades General Foreman Job Description

This generic industry job description gives insight into the role of the general foremen on an industrial worksite. The job description is a basis from which a stakeholder can more easily determine the skills, qualifications and expectations for individuals who occupy these supervisor and leadership roles. This document sets out the Construction Owners Association of Alberta (“COAA”) recognized standard for a general foreman on industrial construction sites in Alberta.

Productivity Library

This is the library where people can access all reference documents and various templates & samples related to productivity in the construction industry.

Overtime Best Practices

COAA, joined by other industry players, had concerns regarding the use of extended hours schedules and the overall effects on human resources and project costs. A committee of owners, contractors and labour was assembled to investigate alternatives to the use of overtime to attract and retain workers. Their work was tested and revised at Best Practices VII workshop May 19, 1999. The results are set out below in two parts.

1. Part 1. Digest of Published Studies - Effects of Scheduled overtime.
2. Part 2. Alternative incentives. It is suggested that this material is used menu fashion - all components may not be applicable in all situations. It is also suggested that more than one component be used.

Project Rework Reduction Tool (PRRT)

COAA’s innovative and unique Project Rework Reduction Tool. PRRT was created to facilitate identification and improvements in project execution. It is targeted for all stakeholders and to be used at the earliest possible instant in the schedule. Used in a responsible and disciplined manner, it will dramatically improve success of projects by avoiding expensive and frustrating FIELD REWORK.

The COAA Contract Form

The Contracts Committee is committed to the identification, standardization and publication of a consistent approach to common issues in contract development, preparation and administration. It has accordingly developed three standard form contracts for use in construction in Alberta.

• The Stipulated Price Form – a standard form Stipulated Price contract for use in industrial projects in Alberta.
• The Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) Form – a standard form EPC contract for use in industrial projects in Alberta.
• The Engineering, Procurement & Construction Management (EPCM) Form – a standard form EPCM contract for use in industrial projects in Alberta.

Construction Forecasts

The Construction Forecasts website is an online delivery system that provides construction organizations with timely forecast data on residential and non-residential construction investment activity and labour supply and demand at the national, provincial and regional levels. On this website, you will find: comprehensive labour supply and demand forecast data, customized tables and graph, and links to other relevant data sources.

 Labour Market Information (LMI) Program

The main objective of the Labour Market Information (LMI) Program is to identify the construction trades and occupations where the current and projected states of supply and demand suggest that imbalances could develop or persist over time.

Construction Looking Forward Forecast Reports and Highlights

The CSC’s annual Construction Looking Forward forecasts offer a detailed nine-year scenario of workforce supply and demand by trade, province and region. These forecasts help industry, training providers and government decision makers manage workforce requirements.

CURT Training, Events, and Publications

CURT is a not-for-profit organization whose primary purpose is to create competitive advantage for construction owners by making the industry safer, promoting overall cost effectiveness and productivity, and improving the way construction is planned, managed, justified and executed.

The Electronic Plan Room COOLNet Edmonton

The Electronic Plan Room COOLNet Edmonton provides Industry access to some 2,000 construction projects annually, including pre-bid, pre-qualification notices and bid results. Members have access to password protected on-line bidders lists, and many projects now have online plans, specifications, and addenda. Members also receive the Plans-On-View Bulletin, a comprehensive weekly project listing and bidder information including pre-bid notices, metro Edmonton building permit statistics and federal project information.

BIM Training Room

ECA is one of the first Associations to train their members in Building Information Modeling (BIM).

ECI Taskforces and Research

ECI’s research is carried out by task forces which combine the experience and expertise of its industry members with the research methodology and knowledge of their academic partners.  The results of this work are published as reports, handbooks or web based tools for use by members and the wider engineering construction community. ECI also works with world-leading universities to commission new research on its members’ value-adding issues.

ECI Knowledge Repository

ECI’s web repository stores documents, reports, toolsets and training material for access at members’ convenience. Typical topics covered include risk, health and safety issues, and strategic partnering.

ECI Events

ECI hosts a series of events, in the form of seminar sessions, master classes, workshops and training packages in order to disseminate best-practice and new knowledge generated by its taskforces and research. These encourage the exchange of expertise and ideas in order to improve practice. ECI organizes an annual conference to enable the ECI community to network and share experiences around a central conference theme.

Lean Project Delivery System™ (LPDS)

LCI developed the Lean Project Delivery System™ (LPDS) that applies principles pioneered in manufacturing to construction. LPDS tools facilitate planning and control, maximizing value and minimizing waste throughout the construction process. The LPDS model consists of 13 modules, 9 organized in 4 interconnecting triads or phases extending from project definition to design to supply and assembly, plus 2 production control modules and the work structuring module, both conceived to extend through all project phases, and the post-occupancy evaluation module, which links the end of one project to the beginning of the next.

Lean Construction Journal (LCJ)

Published by the Lean Construction Institute since 2004, the Lean Construction Journal (LCJ) is an international refereed journal devoted to Lean Construction practice and research.  The primary objective of LCJ is to stimulate a systematic rethinking of the construction process both on and off-site by providing a forum for disseminating knowledge and exchanging ideas between industry and academia. LCJ will publish high-quality practical:

• Papers
• Forum essays
• Case studies
• discussions, rejoinders and closures to previous contributions
• book reviews
• themed sections

Masters Certificate in Project Management

University project management training program offered in partnership with the Schulich School of Business at York University. The Executive Education Centre at Schulich created the Masters Certificate in Project Management in order to provide a fast-track, in-depth approach to the delivery of professional training that is Canadian in its roots as well as in its location and, very importantly, that recognizes the shortage of time with which most managers are faced. A Project Management Certificate for all Managers - Construction, Engineering, IT and Other Fields.  Each module covers the fundamental knowledge areas required by all project managers. These areas are not industry specific and in fact the exercises and our participants come from many different industries - construction, IT, engineering, human resources and more.

Project Management Fundamentals

This 3 day introduction to Project Management is intended for either the new Project Manager or the experienced Project Manager requiring formal education.  This course is not part of the Masters Certificate in Project Management but is a great foundation should you not have any other formal education or wish to pursue the Masters Certificate at a later date.

PRINCE2

Certification workshops in one of the world's top Project Management methodologies. Ideal for Experienced Project Professionals in Canada Who are Ready to Take Their Project Skills to the international level.

In-house project management courses

A catalogue of in-house project management courses available to organizations.

Project Management Certificate

The program consists of 7 individual courses delivered by PMP® credential holders using courses aligned with the PMI PMBOK® Guide.  Its main purpose is to introduce technical or non-technical individuals as well as soon-to-be and/or new project managers to the principles and techniques of effective project management that can be applied to projects. Experienced project managers may be interested in taking one or more of these courses as a refresher or to enhance their current skills. PMI members can earn Professional Development Units (PDUs) for all courses. A PMP Certification Exam Prep course is also available through MacEwan School of Business.

Project management Certificate (PMC) program

12 module program, provides transferability to degree programs.

Project Management Professional Exam preparation – Part A & B

A two-part weekend course that will help participants prepare for the PMP exam.

Petroleum Competency Program (PCP)

PCP certification is based on standards of competence developed by the petroleum industry itself. Competency is the ability of a worker to carry out a job with a certain, accepted level of expertise. A standard of competence measures a worker's ability to perform specific activities at that agreed-upon level.

Labour Market Information

Productivity Assessment Tool

The Productivity Assessment Tool helps companies improve their growth potential and profitability. The Tool helps SMEs to identify where their organization or team is adding value; indicate where opportunities exist to eliminate waste and increase your competitiveness; and connect them to tools, resources, and services to help them improve their bottom line. By completing the Assessment, companies will have a clearer picture of their productivity strengths and weaknesses. Then, with the help of Productivity Alberta, companies will be connected to specific tools and services tailored to improve their business’ productivity and competitiveness.

On-site Assessment

On-site assessment is one of the many Productivity Improvement Services we offer. An on-site assessment allows companies to gain an unbiased, professional perspective of their productivity strengths and weaknesses. The on-site assessment team is made up of professional industrial engineers with decades of international manufacturing and process experience. In addition, they also offer the following productivity improvement services: Value stream mapping, Seminars and workshops, and Productivity improvement implementation.

PMI Certifications

PMI offers a comprehensive certification program for project practitioners of all education and skill levels. Currently consisting of five credentials, the program demonstrates both your commitment to the profession and your expertise through certifying education, experience and competency. Rigorously developed by project managers, PMI certifications ensure that you and your projects excel. PMI certifications include:

• Project Management Professional (PMP)®
• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)®
• Program Management Professional (PgMP)®
• PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)®
• PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)®

PMI Professional Development and PMI Registered Education Providers (REP) 

Through Registered Education Providers (REP), PMI offers training courses and events to improve the skills set of project management professionals. An REP is an organization approved by PMI to issue professional development units (PDUs) for its training courses. Courses offered by REPs, chapters, and PMI are preapproved for contact hours in fulfillment of certification eligibility requirements, as well as PDUs to fulfill the continuing certification requirements (CCR) for PMI credentials.

Mentorship Program

The PMI-SAC offers the Mentorship program to its membership each year. There are two intakes per-year, Fall (September) & Winter (January). This program is designed to provide members with guidance and advice on moving their career to the next level. PMI-SAC sponsors this mentoring program, which is designed to enhance the professional experience and development of the participants. Participation is strictly voluntary and without financial compensation.

Company Ambassador Program

The Company Ambassador Program is an opportunity to be part of Project Management Institute (PMI) and PMI-SAC and act as your organization's voice. You can bring in ideas, share experiences, and become an inherent part of the PMI-SAC on behalf of your organization. The program also allows you to help improve and streamline the flow of information between PMI-SAC and the companies in our area, and allow those organizations to help contribute to the success of the chapter.

Education Events

PMI-SAC offers both regular seminars in project management and a regular PMP® / CAPM® Exam Preparation Workshop.

PMI-SAC coordinates and facilitates a number of events throughout each year for the benefit of their membership.  Most of these events include both an opportunity for face-to-face networking as well as professional development and Professional Development Units (PDUs) for maintaining Project Management Institute credentials.

Applied Project Management Certificate

The program offers an integrated approach to all the key areas of project management; including human resources, communication, cost, quality control, procurement and risk management.

Advanced Program in Project Management

The Advanced Program in Project Management (formerly Graduate Certificate in Project Management) is designed for those managing large, complex, strategic and mission-critical undertakings. The program provides the perspective, tools and expertise necessary to successfully realize results.

Hole School of Construction Engineering

Through the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Hole School of Construction Engineering offers Master of Science (MSc), Master of Engineering (MEng) and Doctorate (PhD) degrees. The program provides a balance between general engineering and management education and covers a wide range of construction engineering and management topics from theoretical and practical perspectives. The Hole School of Construction Engineering (HSCE) hosts the NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Construction Engineering and Management.

Centre for Project Management Excellence

The program serves as a centre for collaborative project management research in partnership with key industry and government stakeholders and supports a current graduate enrolment of 80 students, the Canada Research Chair in Project Management Systems, and an endowed Chair in Project Management.