Large projects — especially those using alternative delivery methods — are becoming increasingly complex and more demanding. In this article, , �鶹TV��վ’ 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 �鶹TV��վ uses that offers real-time, actionable insights, enhancing transparency for all stakeholders by giving everyone access to all project-related documents.

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 �鶹TV��վ 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.

The Association of Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), a leading global corrosion and coatings community, recently assembled a group of experts to revamp the internationally recognized Basic Coating Inspector and Certified Coating Inspector requirements.

AMPP gathered nine forward-thinking professionals — with strong backgrounds in coating inspection, coating systems specification, and failure analysis — to design two new course curriculums and exam questions.

One of the invitees was Principal Engineer, Jay Dorst.

“We reviewed and developed the blueprint for the material that will be included in the certification exams for candidates wishing to obtain certification as coating inspectors,” Jay said.

But they first had to weigh what factors were more important than others. That is, what exactly are the differences between level-one basic and level-two certified?

“Our goal was to categorize and determine the areas of emphasis that a coating inspector, at various certification levels, should be able to answer. The scope of knowledge and the level of expertise of a Basic Coating Inspector and a Certified Coating Inspector was established during our workshop.”

It was a four-day affair, and Jay’s seat on the panel means �鶹TV��վ currently represents 10% of the global experts who set the industry standard.

Well done, Jay.