Remote Service

PPI STO Realities Bi-Weekly Newsletter; Issue #2

In our first issue we discussed the challenge of creating a viable STO scope list, and what the accountabilities need to be for that to work out.

Today we shall assume those ideas worked out well for you, and you now have a Scope of Work provided by the Client.

Let's refine our focus slightly, let us assume that the facility is a small to medium size facility, many of which still today have no actual Planning department, others have one or two maintenance planners.

How you can you possibly manage the detailed technical planning that you know the big guys are using to drive Event Performance?

What if you can have that cake, and eat it too?

STO Realities will be publishing content from a variety of STO SMEs.

(Not merely a platform for this editor)

Today I'm able to action the STO REALITIES Guest Editorial plan.

Chris Postill, PPI Co-founder and Business Development Director shares his thoughts on how the reality of modern network capability quite literally changes everything.

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It is 2021, we have the technology to communicate with anyone in the world, at any given time. Documents can be edited in real time with multiple collaborators. Ideas shared, updates provided, and you can even have a face-to-face conversation.

Yet when you visit a large facility, where is the focus placed and technology most closely watched? Timecards (Brass cards for the slang term) at the access and egress points of the facility.

We have focused on identifying fault and trying to catch people cheating the system, instead of focusing on improving our methodologies and employing people we trust.

Why??

I can’t say 100% as none of the equipment or vessels on these sites have Postill stamped on the side and it’s not my decision, but I’m willing to wager it involves “We’ve always done it this way”.

Take a hard look at your various roles, there are many that could be moved to remote, without even outsourcing.

Some of the obvious ones up front may include: Accounting; Admin (unless required for printing, building work packages or other manual duties); Scheduling (outside of execution window. On site coverage required during execution); Cost Controllers.

Outsourcing has become this “dirty” word where people think “We are losing jobs”, or “It’s cheap and you get what you pay for”.

What about outsourcing remote work?

To quote the comedic great, Jim Carrey from Dumb and Dumber, “THAT’S INSANE!!”?

What about optimization??

Optimization of your time and your team’s time.

What about cost effectiveness so the money can be allocated towards solving the real issues?

What about support??

Support that can ease some of the responsibilities of your overworked staff, easing stress, improving morale, and increasing productivity, all the while echoing your company culture?

There are several issues facing companies with larger projects where Remote work could be very beneficial:

–?????????Groupthink is one of the real problems that are facing major projects involving large amounts of planning. Who in the room is questioning the concepts and ideas in the war room? If everyone believes they are making the right choices, 100% of the time based off prior experience, then why are Turnarounds and Projects still running long and over budget? Something is off.?Having someone offsite, away from the daily politics and without the scrutiny of the team can question decisions much easier.

–?????????Logistical costs, (pre Covid-19, not to even touch on the costs associated with keeping staff and contractors safe during the pandemic) with workstations/ office space, parking space, lunchrooms, IT requirements, etc. With remote services, you avoid nearly all of this. Maybe you require a visitor station that can be sanitized easily and quickly for multiple users on different days. It is easier to manage the social distancing as well.

–?????????Safety – Less people on site means less people on the commute. It is often said the commute to and from the work site is one of the most dangerous tasks that any person performs on a given day.?Support previous point on logistics with the social distancing requirements ensuring folks are staying safe and going home to their families/ friends/ pets, or whatever they love most, Covid free. Less fatigue and lower burnout rates.

–?????????Quality of life and productivity – Employees and contractors will be more productive knowing they can work 10 hours and get paid for 10 hours, as opposed to lost time commuting, being paid for 10 hours and being away from home for 12 +.

?Consider flying on a plane as a passenger; which scenario would you prefer?

A)?????Your plane is being piloted by 2 highly skilled pilots and there is no ground control (remote service) to guide them. Your pilots have encountered a problem while approaching a runway and there is another plane at the same location attempting to land. The pilots must decide to land to pull out and return to the air, without knowing what the other pilot is doing.

B)?????Your plane is being piloted by 2 highly skilled pilots and there is ground control assistance (remote service) to guide them. Your pilots have encountered a problem while approaching a runway and there is another plane at the same location attempting to land. They have been in constant contact with ground control (remote service) and have known throughout the duration of the flight that the airport will be congested when they arrive. 2-way communication has allowed the ground control to confirm with other planes and organize a safe arrival for all parties.

Why not utilize remote services and build them into the company’s long-term plan?

Compliment the skills of your staff instead of loading extra tasks and frustration. Plus, you will save yourself some money while doing so!