This document discusses deploying mobile construction inspection forms through a case study of two pipeline projects. It outlines common issues with traditional paper-based inspection reporting like errors, missing data, and data quality. Barriers to adopting new technology like resistance to change and lack of support are also covered. The case study details implementing a mobile form solution on the two projects with over 13,000 inspection reports. Key results included significantly reduced time to complete reports, higher data quality, and positive user reviews. Elements for successful technology adoption included user-focused design, responsive support, and planning for cultural changes.

1. Deploying Mobile Construction
Inspection Forms as a Case Study
for Technology Adoption
IPC2016-64637
Brett Vogt, P.E.

2. Inspection Forms
• Regulatory Importance
• Construction Management Data Point
• ~80% of documentation produced
during construction
• Managed with archaic systems and
processes
• Reporting errors
• Systematic issues

3. Inspection Reporting
• Reporting Errors
• Missing data
• Typos/errors
• Incorrect reports
• Systemic Weaknesses
• Disaster recovery
• Overwriting data
• Transmission over email
• Handwriting
• Scanning

4. Barriers to Adoption
• Pipeline construction culture
• Perceptions of performance
improvements
• Effort required to use a system
• Technical support
• Upper management support
• Individual resistance to change

5. Addressing the Barriers
• Fundamental improvement in data
collection and reporting
• Core requirements gathering from
field and office stakeholders
• Agile development process with pilot
releases to actual users
• Automating workflow portions
• Simple, familiar interface for field
users (paper-like)
• Management support with higher
data quality, access, and aggregation

6. Case Study Details
Project Maximum
Users
Operator State
1 32 A WY
2 42 B PA
• Two projects
• 13,542 Inspection Reports

7. Case Study Implementation

8. Deployment Process
• Pre-configure system for
inspectors with project data from
project management
• Provide on-site training for
inspectors
• Customize report review
workflow to inspection team
• Provide on-site support
resources and access to
developers for code-level bugs
identified

9. Deployment Results
• Decreased time and effort authoring
and reviewing reports
• Inspector: “from 2 hours to 20 minutes”
• Decreased time and effort for
building inspection reports
• 98% positive system reviews from
survey regarding system deployment
• 67% reduction in time to properly file
inspection reports
• Increased time performing
inspection activities
• Reduce office manager data
completeness review to almost zero

10. Forecasting Results
• Quantitative Predictions Forecast Average Error Standard
Deviation
Trailing 7 Day 4.5 days 3.5 days
Trailing 14 Day 2.7 days 2.1 days
Trailing 30 Day 0.7 days 0.5 days
• Graph depicts
mainline firing line
forecast error to
95% completion
over time

11. Elements for Technology Adoption Success
• User-focused design
• Responsive support by pipeline Professionals
• Planning for culture change

12. Thank you
Brett Vogt, P.E.
Traceability & Records Management Manager
Project Consulting Services, Inc.