2019 AWARD FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: Alberta Energy Regulator - Finalist in the Operational Excellence to deliver an outstanding Value Creation or Innovation Execution Project Category

Read this article about Alberta Energy Regulator, one of our finalists, in the category Best Achievement in Operational Excellence to deliver an outstanding Value Creation or Innovation Execution Project, selected by the independent judging panel, for the 2019 Business Transformation & Operational Excellence Industry Awards program. Click here to read articles on other finalists.

The Alberta Energy Regulator ensures the safe, efficient, orderly, and environmentally responsible development of energy resources in the province of Alberta, Canada. Previously, AER’s regulatory processes were manual, lacking efficiency and visibility for industry and the public. The AER’s solution, OneStop, is a totally new regulatory system. It focuses on the user’s experience and how it could be improved. The administrative burden on companies is significantly reduced. Instead of submitting information into multiple systems, each with a limited scope, operators submit into one digital platform that amalgamates the development activities. Building the new regulatory system is being completed over time through a series of concurrent projects.

The OneStop Solution Platform is a strategic foundational component of the AER’s transformational program, Integrated Decision Approach (IDA) which is currently changing the way in which energy is regulated within the province of Alberta. The administrative burden on companies is significantly reduced. This transformation starts by changing the way companies submit their applications. Instead of submitting several separate applications for each project activity, companies will submit one integrated application that covers activities over the life of the project. The AER will review all aspects of a proposed development at the same time and make one decision. One application, one review, one decision. The AER is implementing integrated decision making across the organization, with full implementation expected to take several years.

OneStop Projects are run following a program framework. Individual project teams, consisting of business and technical experts, report weekly to the program level on progress. They also follow a consistent agile methodology, which aligns key deliverable dates and sprint timelines across projects. This approach has led to greater consistency in deliverables across projects, and the ability to move resources when necessary, as teams follow consistent processes. By improving the way we handle applications, notifications, and submissions, AER staff are now able to dedicate more resources to ensuring that high-risk areas and higher-risk reclamation certificate, pipeline, and Water Act applications receive stronger oversight, including inspections and compliance audits. AER is able to focus the right people at the right time in the right place to protect public safety, environment, and water. AER continues to make significant organizational changes when new components of OneStop are implemented. AER focuses their attention on the highest risk. This shift has led to organizational changes to reflect the new approach to regulation. Since bringing OneStop online in July 2016, ~70% of all applications are automated, requiring no review by AER’s technical experts. In addition to the resources that AER has saved, the energy industry itself has seen major savings in time and money. To date, the Integrated Decision Approach has saved the industry more than $140 million, with an expected $600 million in direct savings by 2021.

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