Infrastructure planning is inherently uncertain. Keeping pace with today’s rapid changes takes smarter, data-driven, adaptable planning, to manage Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs). That’s exactly what Black & Veatch’s interactive Capital Improvement Planning tool – BV iCIP® – offers water and wastewater utilities.
Master plans and CIPs are built on system planning assumptions that can quickly become outdated because of economic shifts, regulatory changes, evolving community needs and more. Utilities must meet compliance deadlines — often at the federal and state levels — plus respond to public concerns and internal level-of-service goals. Static planning tools don’t offer the flexibility or responsiveness needed to navigate these challenges confidently.
Utilities across the U.S. routinely develop master plans and CIPs to guide infrastructure investments. These plans, while essential, are vulnerable. A shift in population growth, a new regulatory mandate, an unexpected economic downturn — the assumptions behind CIPs can become obsolete, leaving utilities scrambling to adjust.
BV iCIP is a planning tool developed by Black & Veatch that offers a dynamic, data-driven platform. It helps infrastructure system owners keep their plans current, responsive and aligned with real-world conditions.
Easy CIP updates
The tool enables utilities to revise project timing and costs as conditions change, ensuring plans remain relevant and actionable.
Trigger-based project scheduling
Projects are tied to systems triggers such as demand, flow, power usage or resiliency needs so implementation is based on actual data, not outdated forecasts.
Dynamic dashboards and visualizations
Dashboards, maps and graphs make it easy to understand project status, cost forecasts and overall CIP health. Customizable data tables and location maps help utilities visualize critical project details quickly.
Customizable and scalable platform
BV iCIP is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It can be tailored to each utility’s unique infrastructure, priorities and planning processes.
Informed decision making
With actionable insights into CIP cash flow, encumbrance requirements and project drivers, utilities can make confident decisions based on current realities.
BV iCIP operates within non-proprietary software and includes a modern business intelligence and geospatial platform, offering consolidated CIP management that includes:
Project costing
Encumbrance and cash flow forecasts
Project phasing
Easy updates for changes
It holds all critical project information, including implementation triggers, coordination requirements with other CIP projects and project drivers, all maintained in spreadsheet form for ease of use.
Dynamic dashboards allow users to easily see key project-specific information and relevant summaries of the overall CIP. The tool’s adaptability helps infrastructure system owners respond to changing conditions, policies and regulations with confidence.
Utilities today face intense pressure to deliver reliable, resilient infrastructure. BV iCIP helps system owners rise to the challenge by making their capital planning process smarter, more transparent and more adaptable.
