Ryan Posnikoff

WE'RE GOING TO DESIGN CANADA'S FIRST "DISC" FOR OIL AND GAS...AND WE NEED YOUR HELP! DISC stands for Decarbonization Innovation S Curve, and while such models aren't new in technology change considerations, they haven't typically "been a thing" in Canadian oil and gas evolution. A very cool workshop we're running at the Clean Resource Innovation Network (CRIN) May 23 will seek to take that first step to a DISC way of thinking. I will moderate an innovators panel of Geoff Clark of Acceleware Ltd., Jane Cavanagh P.Eng. M.Sc. of Scovan and Ian MacGregor of Hydrogen Naturally using S Curve frameworks to guide our discussions. So, what's an S curve anyway? And why are they useful? There are variations on the theme, of course, but in a nutshell, the "curviness" and elasticity of the "S" provides a metaphorical map of sorts on which key actors can plot steep and shallow progress and change trajectories in time and space. There are cycles within cycles, but all move along the S at different rates. S curves can also be critical collaboration mechanisms via which innovators can match and align with critical sectoral inflection points mapped to economic, political and regulatory change. This 2021 FutureBusinessTech article sums up things up nicely: https://lnkd.in/g5gxvU-R Irish economist and former Shell exec Charles Handy's "Sigmoid Curve" thinking is another useful heuristic to understand the power of "S" thinking. Here's one view of his thinking: https://lnkd.in/gByPbdHw Our workshop is intended to be a two-way dialogue between the panel and audience on how to create better best-practice tools for innovators seeking to accelerate #decarbonization efforts in Canadian #oilandgas. While we will use Acceleware Ltd.'s industrial heating technology as a focal-point proxy to catalyse discussion, the workshop is intended to kick start broader thinking and build better #cleantech bridges between innovators and buyers. An S Curve framework may provide a useful way of mapping to a collaborative future. You can find out more and sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gnPn59t6 Amber Hark Cheryl Trudell PhD, PEng, FCAE Glen McCrimmon Craig Stenhouse Lyndy Groom Sally Dawoud, PEng, MEng, PMP, MBA Grace Clark Allan Fogwill Stephen Arseniuk Nannette Ho-Covernton

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I’d like to know if Justin Trudeau understands what it takes to complete this promise. That's a BIG ask! 4 Million Homes by 2031 would require city / provincial and federal governments to change how they operate and streamline permit applications and procurement methods, removing all the red tape. REPLICATION: The key to affordable housing is to engage with the Industry and let the manufacturers design the buildings. We know best what works on a production line, and then the architects can make it look pretty. We can develop standardized building plans that can be placed on any correctly zoned lot in any Province without the need to modify or seek approval for changes. Rapid approvals from building departments in less than 30 days are needed. STAKEHOLDERS:  If we are forced to abide by every stakeholder's needs, the process will slow down dramatically. I've been on projects with 15+ stakeholder groups who all want to give an opinion on how the project should be built. It doesn't work. PROCUREMENT RULES: Current procurement rules kill projects. Getting three bids on a single project is sometimes impossible, particularly with Volumetric Steel Modular construction. There are few competitors. Direct awards (with checks & balances) must be an option. DEAL FLOW: For a modular manufacturer to be successful, we need a consistent and predictable deal flow. We need to keep the factory-producing buildings, we can't sit idle waiting until the next job comes. When one job is completed, another comes online. CASHFLOW: Modular construction projects require more money upfront. We need to procure all the materials at once, so figuring out a way to advance funds at the beginning of the project is mandatory. GREEN INITIATIVES: Yes, green initiatives all make us feel great. But is Passive House certification needed for homeless housing, or could we take an extra 20% cost bump and use that to build more houses for people? NO CAPACITY: The Prime Minister says that most of these homes will be Modular and built offsite in a factory. But the truth is that Canadian Modular manufacturers don't have the capacity to make this volume of homes and would be hard-pressed to make a million homes by 2031, let alone four million. PART OF THE ANSWER: To fulfill this need for housing, the Canadian Government will need to augment Local Manufacturing with Offshore Manufacturing. This is where we can help. Stack Modular is a Canadian-Owned Modular Building manufacturer. We are (1/2 Owned by Bird Construction). Our advantage is that we manufacture in China, where factory space and labour resources are nearly endless. Currently Stack Modular can build over 4000 homes a year, but 10X that, with proper contract and procurement terms. If you are serious about hitting these ambitious goals, Justin Trudeau, let's talk. BC Builds BC Housing Lisa Helps Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Société canadienne d'hypothèques et de logement(SCHL) Pierre Poilievre

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2.5% This is great reporting by Elsa Lam on the roof evaluation used to justify the immediate closure of the Ontario Science Centre. I won't paraphrase Elsa's reporting but I will include this quote regarding the report: "The absolute safest option, it notes, would be to close the areas immediately below the less than 2.5% of roofs with high-risk panels, to stop people from walking in these areas." This minimal and localized closure would not affect any permanent exhibits, would not force the cancellation of exciting adventures (and needed care) for thousands of children in day camps, would keep its one million annual visitors safe, would not affect the employment of hundreds of science centre workers, and is absolutely not a precursor to a full and permanent closure. Regardless of one’s position on the eventual relocation, it's so frustrating to see hard the work being done by professionals in service of public safety being misrepresented. Buildings are in constant need of maintenance, repair, and renewal. This is not a new reality. Let's just get on with it - for all of our sakes. Ontario Building Envelope Council Ontario Government | Gouvernement de l’Ontario Government of Canada Ontario Science Centre #repair #renewal #roofing #siporex #consulting #structure

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So much energy is sitting in sewers globally that can be utilised effectively, another great example but so much more we can do to accelerate this clever method of sourcing latent energy. Wastewater Utilities have an opportunity to embrace and promote WET Systems for the betterment of society in order to reduce carbon emissions. I can attest to Wastewaterheat.online expertise and recommend Australian Water Utilities engage thier services to map thier networks for energy sources. Many smart sustainable Engineers are keen to embrace WET Systems and seek out support from Water Utilities. Sydney Water Icon Water Seqwater SA Water City West Water South East Water Yarra Valley Water Water Corporation

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I thought this article was really interesting. When I was with FindWRK, I spent a lot of time thinking about the labour market and labour shortages in particular. Interesting that influencers in the skilled trades are finding such large followings. Probably in part because their day to day work feels foreign to so many that sit at a desk all day. For those interested in some of these dynamics, read "Shop Class As Soulcraft: An Inquiry into the Value of Work". It explores the value of manual labour in a modern, technology-driven society. The author - Matthew B. Crawford - looks at the ways in which people get value from and stay connected to their work. He argues that ownership over specific outputs, with tangible achievements along the way makes for a much more engaging experience. And he goes further to draw comparisons between the repetitiveness of many white-collar office jobs and the nature of manual labour jobs. Satisfaction among those doing manual work is higher because those sitting at keyboards have lost a connection to the final outcome of their work. Gen Z is starting to catch on. With higher pay and new technologies, more young people are choosing trades over office roles. According to the WSJ, enrollment in vocational-focused community colleges rose by 16% last year, with a 23% increase in students pursuing construction trades. Thoughts? Book and MSN article (ungated) linked in comments.

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Join us Monday, June 17th, 2024, for the next Integrated Project Delivery Alliance (IPDA) webinar: Risky Business. It will be moderated by IPDA board member Jeff Tyson from AltaPro Electric Ltd. with panelists from WSP, City of Edmonton, and Stantec. Come to listen to a few experienced IPD people in the Construction industry speak about the challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned about risk management in an IPD project. We will discuss various types of risk register tools, items to consider with risk. Ideas on how to apply factors to risks to keep a viable project while being aware of the various risks that can be a financial and schedule burden to the project. There will also be a Q+A session to discuss participant's thoughts and questions about risk management in an IPD project. To register for the webinar follow this link: https://ipda.ca/events/ #IPDA #IntegratedProjectDeliveryAlliance #IPD #integratedprojectdelivery #AEC #risk #paneldiscussion

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The recent water main failure in #Calgary has starkly highlighted the urgent need for proactive management of our #criticalinfrastructure. This incident, which has significantly impacted the entire population of Calgary, serves as a wake-up call for municipalities across Canada and beyond. Canada's public infrastructure is facing a critical challenge. Many of our bridges, roads, water systems, and public buildings are aging and in poor condition. According to the latest Infrastructure report issued by #FCM, a significant amount of public infrastructure in Canada requires urgent renewal. The situation in Calgary is not unique; it is a reflection of a broader issue that demands immediate attention and long-term investments. Reactive management of infrastructure—addressing problems only after they occur—can lead to catastrophic failures and substantial costs, both financially and in terms of public safety. The Calgary water main failure underscores the consequences of neglecting proactive measures. These failures disrupt daily life, harm the economy, and pose serious health risks. To prevent such failures, municipalities must adopt proactive management strategies for their critical infrastructure. This involves: 1. Regular and Real-Time Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of infrastructure health can help detect potential issues before they become critical. Technologies like sensors, IoT, digital twins can provide real-time data, allowing for timely interventions. 2. Strategic Investments: Long-term investment in infrastructure renewal is essential. Governments and stakeholders must prioritize funding to maintain essential services, ensuring they meet current and future demands. 3. Resilient Design and Construction: New infrastructure projects should focus on resilience and longevity. This includes using durable materials, considering climate change impacts, and planning for future growth. 4. Efficient Budget Allocation: Limited budgets must be allocated wisely. Decision-makers should focus on enhancing the level of service and extending the lifespan of existing infrastructure, rather than merely responding to emergencies. Proactive management also means planning for the future. As cities grow and evolve, their infrastructure needs will change. Building stronger, more resilient infrastructure today will ensure that future generations inherit systems capable of supporting their needs. The Calgary water main failure is a critical reminder of the importance of proactive infrastructure management. By investing in long-term solutions and prioritizing resilience, we can prevent failures, protect public safety, and build a stronger foundation for our communities. It's time to think globally and act locally, making wise spending decisions that prioritize critical infrastructure. Our future depends on it. #infrastructure #deficits #assetmanagement #maintenance #optimization #coordination #roads #climatechange #publictransport #resilience #pipes

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This is a perfect example of why Infrastructure investment and long term planning are essential to the growth of the Canadian economy. We set politics aside from infrastructure and asset management. It’s time for the National Infrastructure Assessment to become a reality. #infrastructure #canadianpolitics

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Pre-pandemic I thought that downtown Edmonton was dying because the plus-15 connections of buildings and the gigantic streets. Post-pandemic it's in critical care: unsafe, bad odors, few activities, too many stores closed, etc. Urgent need of intensive care, infra + programs. The plus-15 in Edmonton, Calgary, Minneapolis, as Toronto's underground path suck the life out of the streets & do not replace it. Those are places that segregate; w private security get youth with skateboards, old w no $$, homeless...out. Streets: PUBLIC spaces for all. Invest in safe, joyful, lively streets for everyone.

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JOIN US THIS THURSDAY: hear from Alberta Infrastructure Minister Peter Guthrie at The Future of Alberta’s Infrastructure Market, a virtual discussion from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. to 11 a.m. MT). Register here: https://lnkd.in/eD2qGHMt Minister Guthrie will share insights into the Government of Alberta's strategic prioritization of major #infrastructure projects, explore opportunities for innovative financing and #P3 solutions, detail the government's priority asset classes for investment and discuss new initiatives aimed at fostering collaboration with the infrastructure industry. #canadianinfrastructure #alternativeprocurement

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Another Canadian icon gone to foreign shareholders. This is the unfortunate trend of the last 40 years. Two reasons: Economy of scale against foreign competitors, some who have subsidized production and, Canada's poor investment climate. The only salvation here is that it's going to friendly US hands and will continue to operate as a complete unit. Acquisitions of Canadian companies will continue until we have a political and economic environment that encourage growth and investment

Why isn’t risk management working better? About a decade ago, Brett Schroeder, the Managing Director of Asset Performance Networks, wrote the Foreword for my unpublished manuscript, in which he said: "The energy industry is the world’s most capital-intensive industry and invests hundreds of billions annually in new projects and maintenance of existing facilities. The industry has been using risk management techniques for several decades now but the need for effective risk management has never been greater.  Why isn’t risk management working better? Some of it relates to gaps in understanding. However, I believe that most of it can be attributed to project leadership. The perceived value of risk management is not always apparent and the time investment required to embed a process is deemed too great". His words are reverberated even louder today. The practices of project risk management and quantitative analyses are commonplace among large owner operating companies and EPC firms, it is still lacking on contractor side. On the positive side, Riskcore was recently approached by a few fairly large general construction contractors for the inquires of the QRA services, and they all said that their leadership teams / Board of Directors asked for these. When some top leaders had exposure to the QRA and saw the benefits, they start asking right questions and advocating it as a best practice. We risk management practitioners welcome such good news and more wise leaders to join the cohort and promote the risk management process. Make your QRA inquires at www.riskcore.ca

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Toronto’s infrastructure backlog is a “particularly bad” example of a much larger issue of a lack of infrastructure investment across Canada, writes Matt Gurney for TVO. We echo what our board member Derron Bain says in his post below, because infrastructure planning isn't just about getting shovels in the ground. It's about capturing the entire life cycle of projects, including the long-term operations and maintenance of critical public assets. By proactively factoring these elements into budget planning and safeguarding against budget cuts, we can ensure our public infrastructure is built to last. Learn more about #P3s and innovative uses of the model here: https://lnkd.in/e738fG5Q

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I know from first-hand experience that Infrastructure projects typically fall to the bottom of the list. They're boring. Even this post is a bit boring. But without focus on the Foundations, the entire system eventually collapses. A strong Infrastructure enables a strong society. #problemsolving #infrastructure #calgary #alberta #canada #health #mentalhealth #education #projectmanagement #leadership

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Engineers Canada has published its highlights and analysis of the impact of #Budget2024 on the #engineering profession. As we outline in our analysis, several new budget measures will impact Canada’s professional engineers. Read more about them here: https://lnkd.in/gfrcVkGw #cdnpoli

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Ontario’s local hydro utilities have a plan to make us grid-ready! Solving Grid-Lock: Our Vision for a Customer-Centric Energy Transition. Hear what John Avdoulos has to say below. Read more at https://lnkd.in/gV5Xj5-j #PowerofLocalHydro #energy #electricity #sustainability

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