In the fast-paced world of construction, effective data management and communication are crucial for project success.
Challenge
Aldridge is widely recognized as a leading electrical and foundation contractor in the United States. Their utility division manages projects for major utility providers, from solar and wind farm construction to transmission line and substation rebuilds and installation. As they grew, Aldridge faced considerable data management challenges. Their existing spreadsheet-based workflows for construction tracking were becoming inefficient and cumbersome. Significant time was also spent keeping everything accurate and up-to-date. Subcontractors submitted regular revisions to KMZ files for environmental, ROW (right-of-way), permits, and access roads, leading to a somewhat chaotic and disorganized environment. Project team members had to constantly track down or verify they had the most up-to-date information, requiring additional time and increasing the risk of delays as well as costly errors. As projects grew in complexity, the need for a more robust, transparent, and dynamic system became evident. Aldridge Electric required a solution that could centralize data, provide real-time updates, and facilitate seamless communication among project managers, mobile staff, and executives.
Partner
To address these challenges, Aldridge Electric partnered with Dawood Engineering, an Esri business partner known for its expertise in ArcGIS and innovative GIS solutions. Dawood Engineering has a strong reputation for delivering cutting-edge technology and was well-positioned to help Aldridge Electric leverage its existing ArcGIS licenses effectively.
Solution
Dawood Engineering developed a leading-edge, GIS-based right-of-way (ROW) project portal tailored to Aldridge Electric’s needs.
This new SaaS (software as a service) tool replaced the outdated spreadsheet workflow, enabling real-time map-based monitoring with dashboards. Following an eight-step Agile methodology, Dawood Engineering trained Aldridge Electric staff on how to utilize the portal effectively. The solution integrated various tools such as ArcGIS Experience Builder, ArcGIS Dashboards, ArcGIS Survey123, Arcade, and Python, transforming Aldridge Electric’s workflow into a centralized web-based platform.
This allowed stakeholders to monitor progress, track construction and permitting statuses, and make informed decisions based on the latest data. The implementation of the GIS portal not only improved operational efficiency but also empowered Aldridge Electric to develop additional GIS solutions independently.
Results
Aldridge’s work with Dawood Engineering and the introduction of a GIS portal completely transformed Aldridge’s ROW workflow and construction tracking workflows, centralizing project data into a single platform that reduced errors, improved communication, and accelerated decision-making. This real-time data access allowed for the quick identification of critical issues, thereby mitigating risks, delays, and costly overruns. The transition from outdated KMZ files to a workflow ensured that all team members had access to accurate project data, which improved collaboration and tracking accuracy.
The ROW portal now effectively manages four projects, 220 permits, and numerous structures and parcels. It provides comprehensive oversight while saving time and resources by cutting unnecessary interactions.
Dawood’s training empowered Aldridge to independently utilize ArcGIS, enabling them to develop their own solutions and create tailored dashboards for various project management needs. These dashboards track essential elements, such as ScopeID, locations, wire pulls, etc., ensuring timely acquisition of properties and permits, thus preventing delays. The integration of real-time data from environmental coordinators streamlined access to critical information, enhancing safety and minimizing conflicts with property owners. Dawood’s and Aldridge collaboration through ArcGIS Online enabled both organizations to share data when working on the same applications, while empowering Aldridge to use Dawood-developed solutions on systems they owned to protect project confidentiality.
Currently, approximately 45 users across various roles, including project management and mobile teams, actively utilize the GIS solution. The success of the initial implementation has led to plans for expanding GIS use within Aldridge’s estimating group.
Looking Ahead
Looking to the future, Aldridge Electric and Dawood Engineering have established a new multiphase contract to further enhance their GIS capabilities. The first phase will focus on creating a GIS portal for Aldridge Electric’s estimating team, integrating ArcGIS Survey123 and ArcGIS Dashboards for data input and project tracking. Subsequent phases will involve jurisdictional data layers to track permit requirements and supplier locations, establishing a project data schema for consistent KMZ data standardization, and linking GIS solutions to a CRM system for workload and project forecasting and analysis.
The success of this initiative serves as a model for other engineering and construction firms looking to enhance their operations through digital transformation.
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