Large projects — especially those using alternative delivery methods — are becoming increasingly complex and more demanding. In this article, Josh Earl, Atlas’ Northwest Business Leader, discusses how advancements in quality management technology can make a project run smoothly and improve outcomes.
One of our clients needed help managing a complex fish passage program with many variables. Highway culverts, designed to carry water under roads, often obstruct fish passage due to their height, insufficient depth or excessive water flow. Adding more layers of intricacy, each fish passage project is unique and requires evaluating existing conditions and collaborating with many stakeholders, in this case, Native Americans, state fish and wildlife departments and nearby property owners.
With so many moving parts, technology can help. And although technological advancement in construction has trailed other sectors, it’s gaining momentum. For this program, I recommended a tool called Smartsheet, a quality management platform Atlas uses that offers real-time, actionable insights, enhancing transparency for all stakeholders by giving everyone access to all project-related documents.
By assigning unique numbers to each material, Smartsheet helped our team manage materials and track inspections, simplifying approval, acceptance and verification processes. The tool helped us achieve a clean closeout on the first part of the project with minimal audit findings, which involved constructing six culverts in a single summer. Smartsheet was essential in ensuring no testing or inspection was overlooked and that, during construction, the team verified and accepted all materials. And with remote work involving multiple shifts, inspectors and contractors, the cloud-based platform kept us all on the same page without missing any testing or key inspection points.
“By using Smartsheet to track the remote projects involved with this complex program, we eliminated delays in testing scheduling, inspection updates and client notifications. Smartsheet gave us the ability to streamline communication and project management, ensuring timely updates and notifications.”
— Josh Earl, Atlas’ Northwest Business Leader
One of Smartsheet’s standout features is its customizable, project-specific dashboard that provides clients and owners with view-only access, ensuring data integrity. This feature is especially beneficial for managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders, allowing us to maintain control over data inputs while providing transparent access to project progress and documentation.
A peek at Smartsheet’s Quality Management Dashboard.
That transparency is paramount to our success. From the outset, we establish a robust quality management system, adapting to evolving needs during construction, making necessary updates and ensuring compliance with all standards. This positions the project or program as “audit ready.” By not missing any testing for statistical analysis, accepting all materials on site and maintaining all applicable documentation, we consistently pass audits with flying colors, reducing rework.
Digital tools such as Smartsheet allow us to execute progressive design-build projects efficiently, meeting accelerated timelines with precision. The tool has been invaluable on large alternative delivery projects where a standard quality management approach would surely fail. The potential for scaling Smartsheet across other projects and markets is immense. By establishing a standard platform, our quality management processes remain consistent, regardless of the project or client. This approach not only boosts efficiency but also strengthens our reputation for delivering high-quality, transparent and audit-ready projects.
The integration of Smartsheet into our project management processes at Atlas has been transformative. By fostering transparency, enhancing efficiency and ensuring consistent quality, Smartsheet has helped position us as an industry leader. As we continue to innovate and refine our processes, the lessons learned from integrating Smartsheet will guide our future projects, ensuring that we consistently deliver exceptional results.
Don’t just keep pace with industry evolution — take charge! Contact us today to learn more about our industry-leading quality management program.
Josh Earl
Northwest Business Leader
Josh oversees Atlas operations in Alaska, Oregon, Idaho and Washington. With more than two decades of experience, he manages profit and loss statements, secures new business and ensures each project’s optimal performance. He works with clients to resolve complex issues and keep communication flowing between project contractors and quality managers. Josh has a civil engineering degree from Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, Washington.