BENTLEY ITWIN4GOOD PROGRAM

Enactus Canada With Bentley – iTwin4Good Virtual Program Developer Experience

Through the iTwin4Good Virtual Program Developer Experience, students will have the opportunity to combine their passion for environmental and social action, as well as their engineering and software development abilities to create infrastructure digital twins addressing a need in their community.

In a six-week structured program, you will learn to use the iTwin platform, receive coaching and pitching support from Directors at Bentley, and become an accredited iTwin Developer Associate! Once you are put into teams, over the next six weeks you will create an iTwin app that promotes positive environmental or social impact in your city or community. The highest performing teams of students have the opportunity to demo your team’s app to a panel of senior leaders within Bentley and take home prize money!

BACKGROUND

Bentley Systems is THE infrastructure engineering software company providing innovative software to advance the world’s infrastructure–sustaining both the global economy and environment. Bentley’s industry-leading software solutions are used by professionals, and organizations of every size, for the design, construction, and operations of roads and bridges, rail and transit, water and wastewater, public works and utilities, buildings and campuses, mining, and industrial facilities. Empowering the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is our top strategic priority for the next decade.

Bentley wants to empower students to show creativity and innovation by exploring the potential of Bentley’s iTwin technology platform to tackle challenges facing local communities. Digital Twins are virtual representations of the real world and enable effective decision-making and action by combining, visualizing and analysing data. Our planet and communities are facing a growing number of challenges and future engineers, software developers and agents for change will increasingly turn to digital twin technology to tackle them.

TIMELINE

June 3 – June 10, 2024
Training and Certification

June 10 – June 17, 2024
Problem Definition & Ideation

June 17 – June 24, 2024
Data Collection and Cross-referencing / Field Research

June 24 – July 8, 2024
Project Development and Prototyping

July 8 – July 15, 2024
Pitch Preparation,  Project Presentation, and Bentley Judging Panel

WEEK 1

Training and Certification

 

All participating students are required to successfully complete the iTwin Developer Accreditation program. This program is designed to expedite the familiarization process with the iTwin ecosystem by providing comprehensive instruction on how to effectively use the iTwin platform. Upon successful completion, students will be honored with badges from both Credly and Bentley Systems. 

While we highly recommend that students take the additional courses including Intro to iTwin APIs, Property Validation, API Synchronization, and API Grouping and Mapping, it is important to note that these courses are optional and not mandatory. 

Step 1:

Join the iTwin4Good 24 – Canada Discord Server. The Discord will be used to connect teams across Canada as well as provide additional resources to support you throughout the program.

Step 2:

Complete the iTwin4Good Developer Accreditation program available on the Bentley Developer website below.

Step 3:

Once all 3 of your team members have completed the accreditation, have 1 member submit all 3 certificates as well as your team name using the form below.

WEEK 2

Problem Definition & Ideation

 

Competition Problem Statement: Using Bentley’s iTwin Platform, develop an iTwin app aimed at fostering a positive environmental or social impact within your city or community. The app should address one or more of the following Sustainable Development Goals: 

  • 3 – Good Health and well-being 
  • 7 – Affordable and clean energy 
  • 9 – Industry Innovation and Infrastructure 
  • 11 – Sustainable cities and communities 
  • 12 – Responsible consumption and production 
  • 13 – Climate action

Step 1:

Brainstorm a Problem: Get your team together and discuss a real-world issue you want to address, aligning it with the SDGs and Bentley’s Industries.

Develop a Solution: Once you have your problem, use creative thinking to design an iTwin application as a solution. Imagine this app tackling the issue you identified.

Craft Your Application Idea: Think of how your app would work – you can even use simple methods like paper prototypes or storytelling to explain your concept.

This process combines problem-solving and innovation to create a project that benefits both people and the planet.

Step 2:

Start creating your project proposal outlining your team’s project idea. Begin working on your Lean Project Canvas (due during week 6) as a team. The Lean Project Canvas will be used throughout the program so consider it to be a working document!

WEEK 3

Data collection & cross-referencing/Field research

 

In this phase, students are provided with dedicated time for thorough research, enabling them to conduct field studies, collect crucial data, and perform cross-referencing. This phase serves as a crucial step in building the groundwork for a resilient iTwin-based app solution. It emphasizes the significance of informed decision-making and a well-researched approach to ensure the subsequent development phase is anchored in a solid understanding of the identified problem and its contextual intricacies.

Step 1:

Research by conducting field studies, collecting data and performing cross referencing. Resources to support will be available on the Discord channel.

Step 2:

Teams should start inputting their research results into their Lean Project Canvas. Outline how these findings have influenced your decisions for future development and prototyping. 

WEEKS 4 & 5

Project Development & Prototyping

 

Outcome: Teams must show that they utilized the iTwin Platform for the development of their iTwin App.

During this phase, teams leverage their software development skills to progress project development, focusing on creating a prototype that articulates a compelling solution to the identified problem. Simultaneously, students engage in a workshop aimed at honing their ability to concisely pitch their ideas within a 3-minute period, preparing them for the upcoming project presentation round. This dual approach ensures that not only is the technical aspect of the solution advanced but also that students are well-equipped to effectively communicate their innovations to a broader audience.

Step 1:

Focus on creating a prototype that articulates a compelling solution to your team’s identified problem.

Step 2:

Attend the “How to Pitch” webinar on Tuesday, June 25th, 2024, from 5:00PM to 6:00PM ET. Click the link below to add the Zoom link to your calendar.

WEEK 6

Pitch & Project Presentation Preparation

 

Outcome: Teams must create and submit a video, of a maximum of 5 minutes, to Enactus.

In the video, teams must show that they utilized the iTwin Platform for the development of their iTwin App and adhere to the 3-minute presentation template provided by Bentley Systems. While teams are allowed to customize the template to suit their needs, they must ensure the inclusion of responses to the following questions:

  1. Which problems did we solve?

  2. What outcomes did we achieve?

  3. Which SDGs did we tackle?

  4. What value/benefit is realized by the business or user?

The presentation should conclude with a single slide titled “About Us.”

After the 3-minute presentation, teams will have an extra 2 minutes to demonstrate their application.

Step 1:

Visit the resources below to develop your pitch as a team as well as design your presentation.

Step 2:

Submit your 5 minute video below along with your completed Lean Project Canvas by Monday, July 15th, 2024, at 11:59PM ET.

Step 3:

If your team makes it through to the Final Round within Canada, your team will be required to pitch virtually on Wednesday, August 7th, 2024, from 5:00PM to 6:00PM ET. 

The top 3 teams in Canada will receive prize money (in CAD) as follows:

    • 1st place: $1000 per student ($3000 total)
    • 2nd place: $750 per student ($2250 total)
    • 3rd place: $500 per student ($1500 total)

The winning team will also move on to represent Canada in the Global Final Round taking place in Astana, Kazakhstan at the Enactus World Cup 2024 taking place October 1-4. Flights and accommodations will be covered for the winning team of 3 to attend the Global Final Round in Kazakhstan.