Prestige Land and Site Works, LLC

Drew Manning-Osborn

Companies invest in technology to become more efficient, to make better decisions, to better track and predict the work they perform. Companies invest in technology to solve problems.

What is my role in all of this? I’m not project manager; I don’t create the schedule for a job. I’m not an estimator; I don’t deliver bids to potential clients. I’m not a superintendent; I can’t make a job run smoothly. I’m not an operator; I can barely load a truck.

I started my career as a machine control technician at a technology dealer. I learned a lot, I asked every question I could, I showed up early and stayed late whenever there was something new that I could learn. Eventually, I was offered the opportunity to go to a large contractor and expand my field into surveying and model building. One of the first things I was asked to do was to develop machine control classes for our operators. I could put one of these systems together in my sleep, I knew what every button did and I could troubleshoot almost anything. As I was teaching my first class, I could see their eyes glassing over. I quickly figured out that I knew next to nothing.

I started talking to these operators and asking them questions. What are they trying to do? What are these systems not doing that they wish they could? What are some of the most cumbersome tasks for you? I had a wealth of knowledge related to the tools available and while understanding the tools is a prerequisite, it has no value if you don’t understand the application. These guys knew what they were trying to do, but not the most efficient way to get there. I was able to show them the tools to solve the problems that I didn’t know existed. I kept doing this and kept learning from each of these interactions, carrying some of what I learned from each experience into the next one. I completely scrapped the class that I set out to teach and built one around what they needed.

“When data is accurate and accessible to everyone involved, there is less conflict and any problems can be addressed as a team.”

I’ve worked for a couple of different companies since then and my scope has drastically expanded. As my scope expanded, I started reaching out to our different groups. I try to start all these interactions by asking the same questions that I learned to ask those operators. I am constantly learning. What information can I provide to the field to increase production and what equipment do we need to make that happen? I can find the most efficient haul routes or provide information on nearby fill areas to avoid stockpiling the dirt from basins. What data do we need in the office to make more informed decisions? How can I present this information in a way that is easy to digest and use? While useful data needs to be accurate, data being accurate does not necessarily mean it’s useful. When balancing a site, drone topos are incredibly useful, but you need to know how to interpret the information before providing it. An accurate cut fill map may show a site 5,000 yards heavy, but each pad is a tenth high and they still have a temporary basin to close. Presenting that data without context is a recipe for disaster. I get the context and understanding from asking questions and learning from each interaction.

I’m not project manager, but I can help them track productivity and identify potential conflicts before they reach the field. I’m not an estimator, but I can provide useful and accurate data and quantities. I’m not a superintendent, but I can help them make informed decisions and stay ahead of problems. I’m not an operator, but I can show them the tools.

Often times, information and skills become siloed within a company. This results in work being repeated and groups working from different assumptions. Technology helps to bridge the gap from the office to the field and the field to the office. This enables a company to be more productive in the field and avoid costly delays. When data is accurate and accessible to everyone involved, there is less conflict and any problems can be addressed as a team.

My role is simple, to be of service to each of these groups. This thought must remain the guiding light for everything I do in technology.