This project focuses on advancing municipal asset management (AM) and capital planning practices through the implementation and improvement of AM, maintenance management, and capital budgeting. The student will contribute to inventory validation, maintenance and lifecycle analysis, capital forecasting and development of AM plans.
Municipalities face challenges related to aging infrastructure, limited funding, and the need for more long-term capital planning. This project aims to address these issues by improving how data is collected, analyzed, and incorporated into maintenance and capital investment decisions. Overall objectives of the project are to support the implementation of AM and capital budgeting systems, improve the quality of asset data, assist in developing updated AM plans, enhance lifecycle costing and capital forecasting, and identify opportunities for process improvements and innovation within municipal AM practices.
The end goal of the project is more accurate and reliable asset data for decision-making, enhanced ability to prioritize infrastructure investments based on risk, condition, and lifecycle needs, increased efficiency through improved systems and reporting tools, and the development of maintainable AM that supports municipal service delivery objectives and regulatory compliance.
A student interested in municipal infrastructure, capital planning, and public sector operations would be ideal for this project. Specific skills and qualifications that would be beneficial for this project include those of a student enrolled in AM, finance, or business-related fields. Additional criteria include a student with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, experience with spreadsheets, databases, or AM and budgeting software, along with strong communication and organizational skills, and the ability to work independently and in a team environment.
Applicants should state their interest in municipal AM and capital budgeting, and highlight any relevant work experience within their application. Students are also encouraged to share their success stories with process improvement, system implementation, or project coordination.