Audit of project management of Fort McMurray continuing care facility highlights importance of planning for large capital projects

An audit of Alberta Infrastructure’s project management of a continuing care health facility capital project in Fort McMurray highlights the importance of good processes in the planning and design phases of a project.

As of June 2018, health facilities was one of the largest portfolios of capital projects managed by Alberta Infrastructure, involving 20 health facility projects with a total approved project budget of about $5.4 billion. To assess the capital planning and design processes of these facilities, Auditor General Doug Wylie examined the project management processes for the $110 million Fort McMurray Residential Facility-Based Care Centre, Willow Square. As research shows that planning is associated with a project’s success, the audit focused only on the planning and design phases for the Willow Square facility.

The audit found Alberta Infrastructure had adequate project management systems in place for the planning and design phases of the Willow Square facility, however it can improve certain project management processes, including:

• Improving the robustness and timeliness of its project management plan to guide the project
• Ensuring key stakeholders formally approve critical project deliverables used for managing scope