Current and Proposed Organizational Activities

The Government of Manitoba continues to consolidate technology services and technical staff resources from all Departments to gain service delivery efficiencies. The outcome of this initiative will combine department-based technical and support resource staff into a centralized organizational unit.  To date, Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation has been fully transitioned, but ongoing work is still underway to facilitate continuous process improvements. 

The Manitoba Department of Infrastructure and Transportation has restructured a number of divisions to streamline business operations and enable improved strategic planning, and to address expanded provincial infrastructure and operational requirements.  Additionally, a new business unit was formed to address critical needs in the area of Department-wide “Information Response” function that provides a Department-wide, one-stop shop and authoritative source of multi-purpose corporate, strategic and issue related information housed in a secure, fully accessible automated information library. 

At the IT Branch level, reorganization has occurred to provide focus on business analysis, requirements gathering/documentation and project management.  A PMO has been established to develop and implement standards, templates, processes, historical information and best practices to facilitate portfolio selection, review, management and reporting and to develop proficiency in project planning and delivery.  

Infrastructure (Desktop, Networking, Server/Storage, etc.)

The Desktop Environment (workstations, file and print services, e-mail, networks, standard software suite, support, security, Internet services, etc.) has been outsourced. Manitoba is operating on a four-year workstation refresh cycle which appears to be adequate, with some minor augmentation or cascading as required.

Server consolidation and application migration continues to be a challenge as the centralized services organization works to implement the new configuration.  The server consolidation portion of the technical services amalgamation relies heavily on server virtualization.  The Department continues to use advanced technologies in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) as well as Global Positioning Systems (GPS) requiring specialized skills within the Department that are critical to ongoing operations. 

New Systems (Just Completed, In Progress, or Preparing to Start)

Carrier Profile System Upgrade - Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation is responsible for the operation, maintenance and enforcement of the National Safety Code within the Province of Manitoba.  The Transportation Safety and Regulation Branch has the authority to establish a comprehensive safety program for monitoring and regulating the performance of motor carriers, drivers, vehicles and Short Line Intra-Provincial Railways.  The Branch uses a risk management software application known as the Carrier Profile System (CPS).   Manitoba monitors extra-provincial trucking on behalf of the federal government, and reporting via Canadian Data Exchange (CDE) is required for receipt of federal funding.  This system compares the operation of carriers with similar fleet sizes while taking into consideration that smaller carriers must operate differently than larger carriers. 

The Carrier Profile System has a number of major enhancements identified to fulfill the Canadian federal government’s ongoing reporting and performance requirements for extra–provincial (federal) trucking companies.  This project will extend into 2009-2010 as the project scope includes moving to the most current technical platform as well as providing all requested major enhancements to the Carrier Profile System. 

Bridge Management - The Department has funds set aside for maintaining provincial bridges and structures.  The Water Control and Structures Branch is responsible to maximize the use of these funds and to maximize the life of the bridges and structures infrastructure.  There is currently no implemented computerized system for bringing all information together and running full Life Cycle Costing Models.

The Department has completed a comprehensive study on industry standards for bridge management, preservation, life cycle costing, etc. and has evaluated several Bridge Management Systems and selected a system for implementation.  Manitoba is currently negotiating with the vendor to acquire and implement the new system.  

Special Crew Progress Tracking - Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation employs a highly mobile workforce that is distributed throughout the province. The mobile crews are responsible for maintenance and construction assets such as plows, painting trucks, graders, salt and sand trucks, as well as government owned fleet vehicles. MIT employees frequently work in remote locations where telecommunications services are difficult or impossible to use. The safety of these employees is of great concern to the Department.

The Department requires outfitting mobile resources with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and wireless communication devices. By combining this with the Geographical Information System the Department will be able to track these crews and assets in real time. This initiative is aimed at reducing costs by automating existing processes with proven GPS/GIS technologies and improving employee safety.

The department has completed the requirements and is currently working on preparing the tender documents.  It is anticipated that the solution will be implemented in 2008. 

Automated Routing and Permitting - The Automated Routing and Permitting System (ARPS) supports the Permit Office and enables permitting and routing of oversize/overweight vehicles.  A consolidated service for the province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg and the City of Brandon is supported.  This system provides the ability to submit a permit application for oversize/overweight permits via the Internet.  The permit office, compliance staff and enforcement agencies are able to review, analyze and issue permits for the applicants. 

The permitting functionality was implemented in 2006-2007 and automated routing (on major corridors) was implemented for internal use.  Work is under way to streamline operations, continually improve system functionality and enable credit card payment and approval via the Internet (e-commerce capability).  With the announcement of the end of life of the ARPS software, Manitoba is evaluating automated routing options.

Enterprise Project Management - Microsoft Portfolio Server 2007 and Microsoft Project Server 2007 software has been implemented for use by the IT Branch.  This is an integrated toolset that works with Microsoft Project Professional 2007 and MS Outlook to improve and standardize Portfolio, Program and Project Management processes. The Microsoft Portfolio and Project Server toolset provides a framework and methodology to ensure that projects are aligned with departmental strategic business objectives and provides workflow and a central repository to enable ongoing management and administration of the planned and prioritized portfolio of projects. 

Record of Exchange

There has been no formal exchange that has been recorded, although informal exchange of information has occurred.

Information Wanted

Manitoba would like to receive information on what other agencies are doing in the areas of Enterprise Architecture, use of automated tools for Business Requirements gathering and PMO operations.