August 2018
Seattle Construction Team Continues Move Toward Paperless Jobsite
Realizing the full potential of modern technology has led to a safer and more efficient jobsite than Dan Prychitko could have ever imagined. Prychitko is The Walsh Group’s Project Superintendent for the Concourse D Holdroom at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The Walsh team has been working towards a paperless project to completely streamline the flow of information.
During the initial pursuit of the Concourse D project in early 2017, Prychitko and Seattle Construction Tech Manager Gayane Aghazarian determined the use of programs like BIM 360 Field technology, SharePoint, and Bluebeam Studio could eliminate significant amounts of paper and make the transfer of information lightning fast between project stakeholders.
Today, the team has implemented the use of BIM 360 Field, and each subcontractor carries an iPad to view the most up-to-date drawings and construction schedules. The team also uses the tool to submit daily reports, perform safety inspections, and track the punch list. A job-specific user’s manual simplifies these new processes for all the team members and subcontractors.
The open communication flow had immediate impacts on the demands of the project. When mitigating any unforeseen conditions, management can view and manipulate the file generated by engineering software AutoCAD directly on their mobile devices, helping to detect the problem areas and adapt accordingly.
File sharing software SharePoint syncs all the project documents in one place and gives team members unlimited access to contracts, design documents, estimating documents and more. The time saved on travel between the jobsite and the home office has been invaluable, according to the leadership team in Seattle.
Compiling information in a timely manner is among the many challenges for any project leadership team. To alleviate this difficulty, Prychitko and his team use live Bluebeam Studio—a program that lets the team to make and track collaborative changes to project documents—and granted all subcontractors access. Bluebeam Studios permits the easy management of subcontractor payments and performance, which Prychitko says is part of Walsh’s commitment to project safety and success.
Large touchscreens in the field trailer and in the Seattle headquarters allow personnel in both locations to provide sketches directly on live documents and instantly share them with the project engineers and architects for approval.
“This is what a best in class contractor is [supposed to do],” said Prychitko, “we want to be efficient and sustainable, and leave a lasting impression with our customers.”