Permitting Process for Techs

This project involved tackling a complex and inefficient digging permitting process that caused significant delays for TechMobile technicians, ultimately highlighting a challenging design situation.

Optimizing Digging Permits for Technicians: a Challenging Design Journey

Year

2021

Contributions

Researched protocols
Identified barriers
Analyzed delays
Proposed solutions

Brand

Charter

Key Goals

Simplify permitting
Reduce tech delays
Improve efficiency
Facilitate smoother approvals

Project Overview

Improving Digging Permits Process for TechMobile Technicians. In this project, my goal was to transform the cumbersome permitting process for TechMobile technicians into a more efficient and streamlined system. The permitting process was a major pain point for technicians, causing significant delays in their work due to the need to obtain approval documentation and wait for digging permits before they could begin their tasks.

I researched the current process extensively and proposed a solution to automate and speed up the workflow, improving technician productivity and reducing delays. Unfortunately, due to regulatory red tape and approval requirements, the plan was not fully executed, but the effort demonstrated my ability to drive change and plan effectively within a challenging environment.

Research: Understanding the Permitting Protocol

The first step of the project was to deeply understand how the digging permitting protocol worked in public works spaces and what factors caused delays for technicians. I conducted research into the various steps involved in the permitting process, focusing on identifying the key bottlenecks.

This included reviewing how permits were submitted, what documentation was required, and the standard waiting period between submitting a request and receiving approval. I found that technicians often faced significant downtime while waiting for permits, as the process was both slow and inefficient. My research highlighted the need for a system that could reduce wait times and provide technicians with real-time updates on permit statuses.

Outcome: Plan Not Executed Due to Regulatory Constraints :(

Despite the initial support from stakeholders, the proposed solution could not be implemented due to overwhelming regulatory hurdles. The extensive privacy, documentation, and approval requirements tied to the permitting process created insurmountable barriers, making it impossible to introduce any changes to the workflow.

While the plan was not executed, the research and collaborative planning highlighted my ability to analyze intricate systems, propose impactful solutions, and navigate complex regulatory landscapes.

This experience emphasized the critical need to balance user needs with regulatory constraints when innovating within highly controlled environments.

Key Contributions:

  • Conducted comprehensive research into the existing digging permitting process.
  • Identified key bottlenecks and delays that hindered technician efficiency.
  • Proposed a digital solution to automate and streamline permit requests.
  • Collaborated with stakeholders to refine the solution and address regulatory constraints.
  • Demonstrated strong planning and problem-solving skills despite challenges in execution.