Waterloo Region - Development Tracking
Read about our work to help Waterloo Region identify their needs, procure a development approvals solution and support the implementation of the system and modern processes.
The Region of Waterloo identified some challenges with the systems that supported their development approvals processes.
Our consulting team of planning and technology specialists worked with the team at the Region of Waterloo to assess the existing systems landscape for development approvals and permitting, conduct a fit gap assessment, a marketplace assessment and then to lay out a go forward systems strategy and business case for investment.
With the business case accepted by leadership and Council, Perry Group were further engaged to support and facilitate the procurement process. Perry Group consultants worked with the Region’s multi-disciplinary team to develop the scoping, requirements, and RFP. They worked with the procurement team to facilitate the running of the procurement process and eventual selection of a chosen partner.
The same consulting team has been retained as an ongoing Project Advisor to assist with process reviews, project implementation activities and helping to ensure that the project realizes the vision.
Burlington - Land Management / Amanda Review
Learn how we helped the City of Burlington and its key Planning, Permitting and Licensing leaders determine their go forward systems strategy.
The City of Burlington had long used Amanda as its core business solution for planning, permitting and licensing activities - alongside a variety of other services and processes.
However, frustration at the pace at which advancements had been made, and pressures from SDAF and the Ontario housing crisis prompted a re-evaluation of the situation.
Perry Group’s team of planning, permitting and technology specialists were engaged to help determine the path forward.
Working closely with a working group consisting of stakeholders from across the organization, and funded by SDAF, and subject to tight timelines; our team conducted reviews of key processes and consulted broadly with stakeholders, systems users and those involved in managing the system. We conducted a broad market scan and talked to many municipalities that have recent experience of implementing new systems or enhancing existing ones, we talked with vendors and assessed the various options.
Our recommendations, provided a clear graduated path forward, with budget and resource estimates, timelines and ongoing product management and evolution strategies and tactics.
York Region - Regional Digital Planning and Development
How we helped the Region think through the future of digital planning and collaboration in York.
We recently worked with the folks in York Region and their 9 area municipal partners to review the opportunities for increased digitization of the planning process and for enabling improved digital collaboration between municipalities and agencies around handling development applications.
We evaluated current as-is processes between local municipalities and the Region. We looked closely at how school boards, conservation authorities and other parties, including provincial agencies fit into the process.
The level of duplication between agencies is significant - and this duplication contributes to delays in the process.
The consulting team built a set of recommendations around a future strategy focused upon digitization of the application process and the back office process in those municipalities that don't yet have digitization. But, at the centre of the concept is a data exchange hub that will automate data and document transfer between agencies. A clear business case was built that shows a very clear return on investment for all agencies across the Region.
Waterloo Region: Development Tracking Systems Review
How we helped the Region of Waterloo review its development tracking system options and set a path, including budget and resource needs for the implementation of a new system.
PROJECT: DEVELOPMENT TRACKING SYSTEMS REVIEW
DESCRIPTION
The Region operated various databases and systems to track and manage development approvals. This piecemeal approach resulted in an incomplete view of the development process. Under pressure to speed the approvals process - the Region was looking to evaluate its options and determine a path forward.
The Region wanted to know whether to enhance one of the existing systems, whether to build a new system or whether to go to market to purchase a commercial product.
OUTCOME
Our team worked with Regional staff to assess the existing solutions in use and their suitability for future development.
We conducted discovery sessions and workshops to identify business requirements.
We conducted a market scan, talking to vendors and municipalities that have recently implemented development tracking systems - to assess whether the Region's requirements could be met.
Finally, we developed recommendations on the best approach, and provided budget and staffing estimates to implement and sustain the new development tracking system.
PROJECT DATA
Budget: $45k
Timeline: 4 months
Year: 2020